Public service cuts - consumer council does its bit

national | anti-capitalism | news report

Tuesday September 07, 2010 16:20

by Antonette - CC Resistance

No Cuts Here!!!

Northern Irelands Consumer Council has been marched in to organise a series of ‘consultation’ meetings to mobilise the views of the ‘public’ about what cuts should to be made in public services.

The audience for the meetings is currently being hand picked by the Council who are phoning around the great and the good asking them to attend.

Apparently this initiative has been driven by the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson. The Consumer Council will be reporting directly back to the Assembly Executive. Clearly it is little more than a cover for the politicians to say that when they slash services they are reflecting the views expressed by the public.

The trade unions are well aware of this attack by the Consumer Council on our services and no doubt are just about to counter it.

Campaigners are calling for Protests outside and inside these meetings

No one should accept a hand picked, manipulated group launching a propaganda attack against public services.

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Comments (2 of 2)

talk about framing the argument!

by YouBeenFramed

Tue Sep 07, 2010 16:35

A prime tactic of capitaliusts to be watched out for in the public sphere is "framing the argument"

The canonical example is "are you still beating your wife?"

this compares well with "to organise a series of ‘consultation’ meetings to mobilise the views of the ‘public’ about what cuts should to be made in public services."

the proper response is to reject the statement / question itself entirely rather than responding to it

in the case of the wife, you say "excuse me you cad but I never beat my wife in the first place"

in the case of the cuts you say "excuse me you cads but who says cuts should be made in public services? we have other options and need top consider those first y'know"

So often we all fall for this cheap rhetorical trick.

PROTEST

Tue Sep 07, 2010 17:04

Just recieved this - The Consumer Council is organising "public meetings" on the issue of cuts this Thursday 9th Sept in Cookstown and next Thursday 16th Sept in Belfast. The Consumer Council has stated "The NI Assembly has to find £1.2 billion in public spending cuts. The Consumer Council wants you to make your voice heard about what should stay, what can go and how public services can be delivered better in the future." In other words, the Consumer Council is promoting the argument of the Tories and the parties in the Executive that cuts have to be made. The meetings are not open to the public, but you must book your place - meaning they will have the say over who attends. They also claim that these meetings will lay the basis for a consultation where cuts should be made. I have also heard that Sammy Wilson has asked the Consumer Council to carry out this exercise on his behalf.

The Stop the Cuts Alliance will be picketing these meetings, leafleting those attending to explain why all cuts must be opposed and will raise our objections to the meetings inside.

PICKET: 5.45pm Thursday 16th September - Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast (opposite BBC)

Please show your support by coming along to the picket - bring along banners and placards against the cuts if you can. Please get back to me if you can attend. You can contact myself on 07743282321 for more info.

Stop the Cuts Alliance

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Public service cuts - consumer council does its bit

Comments (2 of 2)