Elections/water charges
national |
consumer issues |
opinion/analysis 
Wednesday February 14, 2007 15:00
by RogerC
I know that while the Northern Ireland assembly was running the local parties didn't seem to have a problem introducing water charges. However it would be foolish to let them off the hook at this time.
Let's not get hung up on what happened in the past, or the fact that you can't trust a politician as far as you could throw them.
A lot of us will soon be having the "Pleasure" of our local "Great and good" knocking our doors looking for our votes.
What an opportinity it is for working class communities to unite behind an issue that will affect us all. We should be making it clear that the political landscape is changing. It's no good putting on an orange or green hat and saying "Vote for me"
When that knock comes at the door find out what their party intends to do about the water charges. Make it clear that you'll not support any party that is just going to go allong and rubber stamp this unjust double tax.
Don't be fobbed off with empty words. I heard of one candidate on the door step looking for support, actually saying "This isn't the place to debate party policy, but can I still count on your vote?" Well if that wasn't the place to debate policy where is?!!!!
For too long local politicians have been able to take "Their" electorate for granted, it's time to make them work for our support.
Remember, Don't pay twice, keep water Public.
Comments (2 of 2)
Jump To Comment: 1 2In South and East Belfast, the Socialist Party's candidates, Jim Barbour and Tommy Black, are the only ones in their constituencies to call for non-payment of water charges, and are making it a central part of their platform. They are both trade unionists who have played an active role in building the We Won't Pay Campaign, the only mass non-payment campaign calling on people to refuse to pay the charges coming in on April 1st.
Vote Socialist!
Remember these are the politicians who brought you, RPA, privatisation of schools, closure of hospitals, and water charges when they where last in the Assembly. Even when the Assembly was not sitting they were untiring in their pursuit of the big business agenda. In education they brought you cuts, cuts and more cuts, in Carrickfergus Council they are currently trying to impose job cuts and on water charges they are squirming to find any way out of supporting non payment and last but not least they have continued to play the rotten sectarian card.
Roger is right. When they come to your door remind them about what they have done, hammer them for their right wing policies and their vicious sectarianism but don’t for one moment expect anything different from them when they get in to power again.
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it!
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