Saturday’s March for services in Newport is not an end for the Alliance, merely another chapter in the campaign against public service cuts.
Alliance members are now viewing the long game and will be encouraging fellow marchers to join the mass lobby of the full council meeting at 5pm on Wednesday 23 February. Support will also be galvanised to send a big Isle of Wight delegation to the national anti-cuts demo in London on 26 March.
Bill McKenzie explains why he will be joining the march and rally, “I decided to support the Stop the Cuts Alliance when Westminster House was under threat – and to some extent it still is.
“Since November 2008 there has been a concerted attack on services for vulnerable people and now, at last, we have support from others to help us to fight our cause.”
The Island?s young people will be out in force as well, come rain or shine. North Wight youth councillor, Lawrie Mason, offers the youth perspective, “only this week we heard that youth unemployment is now over 20%, that?s scandalous in itself; but just to make matters worse the council?s ruling group want to cut the Connexions service and completely restructure youth services – what hope does that leave young people with? Their only option will be to leave the Island to find work and support.”
The Alliance want Saturday?s march to be a happy, upbeat event and are encouraging participants to bring musical instruments, whistles and anything to make the morning go with a melodic swing!
