Dear friends, we meet in sad times. Before I start talking about the subject of this evening’s meeting, I think it’s important to speak a few words about what we’re living through at the moment.
Last week, before the terrible bombings in London on Thursday, we learned that the US and British governments had drawn up secret plans to withdraw troops from Iraq. Defence secretary John Reid was forced to admit the existence of such plans after they were leaked to the Mail on Sunday.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is questioning Suffolk County Council’s claims that it is focusing more attention on fire prevention work. The union says Suffolk’s spending on community fire service has gone into reverse since 2002.
Jim Benson has died peacefully at the age of 77. Jim was an active socialist all his life, working in the rail industry and living in Camden. He had a wealth of anecdotes, often told while rolling the thinnest cigarettes imaginable.
In Sunderland two Labour councillors are facing disciplinary action for giving evidence to the House of Commons Council Housing group about the case of Sunderland Housing Group.
Coventry council workers are organising a rally on Saturday 23 July to publicise and discuss their dispute with the city council over its imposition of a "single status" pay and conditions deal.
