Insults fly in clash over service cuts
Barry Western debate and (inset) traded jibes
sector cut Local democracy reporter in the real world, austerity is still with us and causing great hardship.
“Public services in Derbyshire, and the rest of the country, are still facing further budget cuts over the next few years. In Derbyshire, as in the rest of the country, almost nine years of funding cuts have driven public services to breaking point.
“Universal Credit roll-out is pushing many people to the point of despair.”
Cllr Western referred to a “damning” report from the United Nation’s special rapporteur, Philip Aston, who said “British compassion for those who are suffering has been replaced by a punitive, mean-spirited, and often callous approach”. She said that new terms such as “in-work poverty” were being created due to austerity.
Fellow Labour councillor Dave Allen said: “Food banks didn’t exist until a few years ago but they are now an established part of society. Austerity is still rampant and food banks are the proof.”
In response, Cllr Lewis said: “Food banks existed under (Tony) Blair and (Gordon) Brown. The Labour Party is the party of rank hypocrisy – during their tenure here they shone the light of Corbynism and Momentum ideology by focusing their cuts on making the worst headlines possible.
“That’s why you’re over there and we’re over here,” he said, gesturing to the other side of the council chamber. The ruling party sits in the central seating area.
The motion to was rejected by 37 votes to 20.