The Standard today (1st September) has an abridged letter letter from me following Barnet council’s plans for cuts and privatisation.

Below is a longer version of the letter.

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It is a sign of things to come that Conservative Barnet Council, under the guise of its “Future Shape” easyCouncil model, is proceeding headlong towards privatization, cuts and more new charges.  It is difficult to escape the impression that Barnet is gleeful that the economic climate gives them a pretext for privatisation.

Once again it is services for local people that are in the firing line. The claim of more choice and cheaper services in the 1980s led to under-investment, worse services and a poorer quality of life. Barnet’s plans are merely the latest version of this well-established and damaging Conservative approach.

Your leader points out that the public finances are pressed but why is it always public services such as care for the elderly that are always the first to be hit in such circumstances? There are plenty of other things that should now be part of the national debate: unnecessary costs such as I.D. cards or new nuclear weapons for example. Fairer progressive taxation and directing the bailed-out banks to lend to businesses and home buyers should be on the agenda.

People in London’s boroughs or anywhere else who did not cause the economic crisis should not be made to pay for it – including through worse services, job cuts and privatisation.

Yours sincerely

Simon Fletcher