WALTHAMSTOW: Parliamentary candidates debate public service cuts (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Parliamentary candidates for Walthamstow debate public service cuts

11:22pm Thursday 15th April 2010 in Waltham Forest News By Mhairi Macfarlane

WALTHAMSTOW: Parliamentary candidates debate public service cuts

CUTS to spending in education and the health service were some of the key issues debated by parliamentary candidates this evening.

Hosted by Waltham Forest Trades Council, candidates from four political parties presented their arguments to about 60 residents at Quaker Hall, in Jewel Road.

Walthamstow candidates included, Farid Ahmed standing for the Liberal Democrats, Daniel Perrett for the Green Party, Nancy Taffe for the newly-formed Trade Union and Socialist Coalition, and Leyton and Wanstead Labour candidate, John Cryer.

There were no parliamentary candidates from the Conservative Party or from UKIP.

Residents called on candidates to give their views on cuts to public services and strike action by public sector workers. All candidates said they supported workers' right to strike.

One resident asked candidates for their views on education, including trust schools and academies.

John Cryer said he fully supports state schools and that the “crumbling” schools of more than ten years ago have disappeared because of Government investment.

But he said he is concerned about academies because of a lack of “accountability”.

Ms Taffe responded: “I find it amazing that we have a politician saying he supports state schools, when we have a history of privatisation of services.”

Mr Perrett argued tuition fees should be abolished and higher education funded by higher taxation on high-incomes.

Mr Ahmed said teachers spend too much time dealing with paperwork which is a “great strain” on their time.

Health visitor, Norma Dudley, asked the candidates for their views on NHS Waltham Forest's proposals to introduce more health services, such as minor surgery and blood tests, at 'polyclinics' in the community.

Mr Ahmed praised the services at Whipps Cross Hospital and said: “If you take away acute services like that it will be a tragedy for our community.

"There's an argument that certain services can be provided in the community, but that decision should be left to doctors and nurses and not thrust upon them.”

Mr Cryer said more services, such as blood testing in surgeries could make life easier for patients, but it could become too centralised.

Mr Perrett said he was “disturbed” by possible cuts to the health service.

Ms Taffe said that although an efficiency saving looked good to executives on paper, the cuts would be the “death” of the health service.

Other issues raised by residents varied from freedom of the press, to Palestine and how to tackle racism in Waltham Forest.

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