Letter on the areas that will face cuts

06.08.10

Dear Editor,

Councillor Sherwan Chaudhury’s letter on voluntary sector cuts states that most of the sufferers of this round of Tory cuts are “black and ethnic minority organizations based in the north of the borough ”. The reality is that the majority of those affected by this round of cuts reside in areas with Labour councillors. One can almost understand this Conservative council’s decision making: cut funding to those groups that are traditionally associated with Labour, and as long as we keep council tax rises at an absolute minimum, we can ensure our re-election in 2014. It will be tough, we will be unpopular, so let's give ourselves a payrise!

But let us not forget, two can play this game: When the leader of the Labour group was asked for a location for his proposed energy from waste plant, he suggested somewhere far south of the borough.

These tactics are a product of an outdated first past the post electoral system that returns elected dictatorships, keen to look after their supporters, of one shade or another.

An electoral system founded on proportional representation would be less divisive and ensure greater consensus can be reached, especially on these unpopular decisions. The present system is leading to social segregation and potential unrest, which in the long run will affect everyone living in the borough.

Yours sincerely

Shasha Khan

Croydon Green Party

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Tags croydon, greenparty