Stop The Cuts Demo at 11am in Newport

Today is the day of the Stop the Cuts demonstration in Newport.

If you’re concerned about the proposed cuts to council services (listed below), you are encouraged to show your disapproval at the demonstration in Newport Quay starting at 11am this morning.

Free coaches have been arranged, as has parking (details).

  • Libraries across the Island set to close
  • Tourist Information Centres
  • Beach Lifeguards
  • Wightbus
  • Ryde Waterside Pool
  • Connexions and Support for Schools
  • Public Conveniences
  • Youth Centres
  • Support Services for the Elderly & Disabled
  • Women’s Refuge
  • Parks and Gardens
  • Westminster House
  • Privatisation of Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Winter Gardens, Dinosaur Isle & Roman Villa
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only 3% tax to pay
19, February 2011 10:29 am

Barclay’s Bank could save our services if they paid as much tax as the rest of us.

no.5
Reply to  only 3% tax to pay
19, February 2011 10:54 am

Its not Barclays fault for paying only 2.5% of its taxs…if the deal was offered to everybody they we would all take.

Its the Governments fault for allowing them to do it

Mike Judge
Reply to  no.5
19, February 2011 2:32 pm

Blame Blair and Brown (again) socialists in awe of big business. It’s disgusting that they have paid so little.

Braveheart
Reply to  only 3% tax to pay
20, February 2011 1:27 pm

The drastic cuts being implemented by this Coalition Government, to pay off the deficit could easily be avoided if not only the banks, but the owners of large companies and Cabinet ministers were to stop paying accountants to find loopholes that help them avoid paying tax. George Osborne has currently dodged paying £1.6 million in tax therefore, one has to ask just how many other millionaire members… Read more »

John
19, February 2011 11:37 am

I think Barclay’s Bank only paid 1% on their 11 Billion Pounds Profit,which makes it much worse than 2.5%. Considering we have to pay much more on capital gains,it is a scandal and criminal.

Farnsworth
Reply to  John
19, February 2011 12:48 pm

When talking about the low amount of corporation tax paid by Barclays, remember that: (a) AIUI, corporation tax is only paid on earnings within the UK, not outside, whilst profit is on all of their trading worldwide, (b) these figures are from 2009, so it is very possibly the previous (Labour) government’s responsibility. It would be good to know the full tax take from Barclays, as well… Read more »

Ventnor Vintner
Reply to  Farnsworth
20, February 2011 9:54 pm

I believe that the reason thet the Barclays Corporatin Tax payment for 2009 was so low was because they (and any other company) are allowed to take losses from the previous year(s)into account and reduce their cprporation tax accordingly. Given that they didn’t receive a bailout, I don’t see what Brown / Darling or the coalition could have done differently. I do not know the facts re… Read more »

Karen Gentleman
Reply to  Ventnor Vintner
21, February 2011 11:55 am

They did receive several bail outs. Not from the UK government (though they did benefit indirectly from UK bail out money to other banks). They received bail out funds from the US government and from private companies in the Middle East. No other kind of business is allowed to operate like the banks do.

no.5
Reply to  John
19, February 2011 1:21 pm

its is the governments fault for allowing such things

montana sliver
19, February 2011 11:38 am

David Pugh,
Your career is through,
We don’t want you,
Or your ewe crew,
You haven’t got a clue,

RESIGN you make us spew!

Don Smith
Reply to  montana sliver
19, February 2011 10:11 pm

Poetic cr*p will not get rid ogf this Tory council – Only voters can do that. The protest march was very well organised, however, passive protests have never won an argument. 95% of those on the march were either council workers, trade unionist and Labour supporters. I agree with Braveheart: No gain without pain. The speakers in the square made a lot of sense – But this… Read more »

Bob Smith
Reply to  Don Smith
19, February 2011 10:17 pm

That’s harsh – I quite liked the poem!

No.5
Reply to  Don Smith
19, February 2011 10:33 pm

a new Island party that unites the opposition..Labour Libdem and Indpendent ( and Tory) thats works for the Island inhabitants rather than any ideology on a fixed two term agreement to work together to reverse this councils deficit and manage the governments budget

John
Reply to  Don Smith
19, February 2011 10:44 pm

I think the “R” word- peaceful but mass Revolution Island style.We saw off the French and now time to see off Pugh maybe!Not in a bloody way of course! Rather bloody minded like he appears to be towards his subjects-he does not appear to regard us as voters.

John
Reply to  Don Smith
20, February 2011 11:30 am

Just to touch on the Island LibDems, They had fallen into the wilderness and have also been affected by what has happened in Government with this coalition, which most of the island libdems are disgusted about!! But that said we (and i say this as a libdem) are regrouping, we are disgusted with what is happening in county hall. Our next election will be for county hall… Read more »

John
Reply to  John
20, February 2011 11:32 am

this is another John!! Will use another name in future. Sorry John

Sally Perry
Admin
Reply to  John
20, February 2011 11:57 am

It was mentioned at the demo yesterday that the Lib Dems would be submitting an alternative budget prior to Wednesday’s meeting.

No.5
Reply to  John
20, February 2011 1:27 pm

If the LibDems hadn’t been so awful when in control, the Tories wouldn’t have won by a landslide.

Mind you it does provide a benchmark for how bad the Tories are…i.e worse than the LibDems

LibDems need to clear out all the old blood and recruit some new

JohnW
Reply to  No.5
20, February 2011 2:46 pm

There is of course people within the libdems that have been here a while, but also quite a few new members. And it goes without saying the door is always open for more new members that wish to stand! I myself am a fairly new member, and after the election i questioned what i was doing but after meeting with all the other Island members who had… Read more »

Don Smith
Reply to  No.5
20, February 2011 9:00 pm

I share your view – Lib/Dems need a fresh start.

Steephill Jack
Reply to  John
20, February 2011 3:26 pm

I don’t know why people can’t think outside the political party boxes when it comes to local elections.
We need independent councillors who represent our interests instead of a party political agenda and ideology.

No.5
Reply to  Steephill Jack
21, February 2011 12:06 pm

I completely agree…the last thing the Island needs at the moment is political divide.

We need an alliance of all parties for a fixed two term period to manage our Island economy properly and get rid of those divisive and party bound neanderthals

Karen Gentleman
Reply to  Don Smith
21, February 2011 11:57 am

I’m not a trade unionist, a council worker or a Labour supporter, and I was there. I know plenty of other people who were on the march who were also not any of those three.

stanley
19, February 2011 12:29 pm

Did a rough headcount this morning while out doing shopping. I reckon about 450. Certainly no more than 500 there

Sally Perry
Admin
Reply to  stanley
19, February 2011 1:37 pm

Having filmed it throughout, I have to disagree. It seemed more like 1,000.

Steephill Jack
Reply to  Sally Perry
19, February 2011 1:54 pm

It certainly got a lot bigger as it moved into the town centre.

Vix
Reply to  Sally Perry
19, February 2011 2:32 pm

Yes I joined it at midday past the cinema and was quickly no longer at the back. Was about 1000 marchers.

Adelaide
Reply to  stanley
19, February 2011 4:57 pm

Did you have one eye shut or you should have gone to spec savers

Don Smith
Reply to  stanley
19, February 2011 10:14 pm

600 passed passed me at the bridge – I counted them all out and counted them all…Could not keep up with the pace:-)

No.5
Reply to  stanley
21, February 2011 12:08 pm

whats your idea of a ‘rough headcount’….I’d stick to shopping if I was you

John
19, February 2011 12:41 pm

That’s a pity-need about 5000 to make a difference and during the week to make a mess of traffic around County Hall and Coppins Bridge!
A Saturday demo does not really disrupt of pressure the Isle of Wight Council.Maybe I am wrong,but if they are not at work they will just ignore a demo I feel.

Mike Judge
19, February 2011 2:33 pm

I was there, certainly 1,000, perhaps 1,500.

Cindy
19, February 2011 2:48 pm

I’m good at estimating numbers due to many years of supervising secondary school fire drills. Easily 1000 before we went round Copin’s Bridge, and many more joined for last bit through town centre.

jackie
19, February 2011 4:15 pm

There was easily 1000+ there. The council press are only reporting 500….but then they would wouldn’t they.

Robbo
Reply to  jackie
19, February 2011 4:45 pm

It will be the editor, not the journalist who was present. I made it at least 1000 from my vanatage point.

Rush
Reply to  Robbo
19, February 2011 6:54 pm

The Tory Press!

Rush
Reply to  Rush
19, February 2011 6:56 pm

Sorry,The Island Tory Press!

John
Reply to  Rush
19, February 2011 10:04 pm

Isle of Wight Conservative Press?? IWCP

RTUC
19, February 2011 4:40 pm

Militant and determined demonstration against Isle of Wight Cuts. A demonstration of well over a thousand marched through Newport on the Isle of Wight today against council cuts. The demonstration started at the Medina centre and weaved through the streets of Newport and down the High street finishing with a rally in St Thomas square. Taking part were council workers, Teachers as well as other public sector… Read more »

John
Reply to  RTUC
19, February 2011 11:25 pm

Rather flowery and wishfull thinking I feel,although I wish such romance and adventure were not dead in the 21st Century!Would love to believe it was the truth.Let’s hope a vital spark has lit a fire in the Island’s peoples hearts today’s fine words and actions. Our revolution may have begun but the hour glass running quickly for the moment of truth to be realised.

Ventnor Vintner
Reply to  RTUC
20, February 2011 10:43 pm

You say that the people have stated that the deficit is not their problem as if saying so will make it so. In fact the deficit IS OUR problem. It has been our problem since 2003 and it will be a millstone round our necks and our childrens’ necks for years to come. On our behalf our government has spent beyond our means since 2003. The deficits… Read more »

montana sliver
19, February 2011 4:59 pm

I’m surprised the council press aren’t reporting it as 100,000 marching in favour of the cuts

Braveheart
19, February 2011 5:03 pm

As with all demonstrations either against local or main governing parties both disruption and tenacity must be the most important factor of consideration, a one off every now and again has little impact. But a large gathering of people with numbers swelling into thousands, rather than hundreds, prepared to occupy an area of importance and sit it out until their demands are met. Will have far more… Read more »

John
Reply to  Braveheart
19, February 2011 5:37 pm

I tend to agree with Braveheart. A Commons inside said last night that unless a demonstration is on TV ,the MPs are not interested. We have seen that the diplomatic approach in demonstrations does not work.Our weapons should be surprise and the numbers in thousands turning up at short notice. Similar use of Facebook for organising to how the Egyptians did it the other week.Pugh has said… Read more »

Rush
19, February 2011 6:20 pm

Pugh`s Leadership and The Tory Council is undermining Cameron`s Big Society.By cutting Frontline Services.

Rush
Reply to  Rush
19, February 2011 6:22 pm

No Brownie Points.Dave!

Lilly
19, February 2011 6:26 pm

Good turnout, enjoyed Samba band to jolly us along. Think we lacked some good songs to sing. Any ideas anyone, perhaps using familiar tunes?? Tory man ‘incandessent’ (excuse spelling!) only now, not when Thatcher was in! Perplexed, dismayed and shocked by his outburst. Pitiful really. ’twas good to see a Tory so moved by what’s happening with the cuts to almost blub about it though. How about… Read more »

montana sliver
19, February 2011 10:56 pm

These cuts could well be an excellent opportunity for Don Smith to issue one of the “remember you heard it here first” blatantly obvious predictions, that we have all come to rely on him for.
And then we can sit back and look forward to him endlessly referring back to it.

Don Smith
Reply to  montana sliver
20, February 2011 12:48 am

A fan at last!

Wight Social Worker
19, February 2011 11:40 pm

Hello! I’d hope that Ventnor Blog would have covered this in a little more depth! CP played it down with ‘500 marching against cuts’. Sadly, a missed opportunity. This was a huge protest that begins to show the sleeping giant beneath the ballot box.

MAKE SOME NOISE.

John
Reply to  Wight Social Worker
19, February 2011 11:49 pm

Totally agree MAKE SOME NOISE people.As Churchill would have said ” Action this Day”. We are now fighting for our rights against the state.We are not the problem-we did not bet the house,farm and country-the Government and Bankers did, they now want to force us to pay for their mistakes! No way!

Sally Perry
Admin
Reply to  Wight Social Worker
20, February 2011 7:59 am

WSW, rest assured, as we have done for past demos and marches (schools reorg and Vestas) there is plenty of coverage of this march coming up. We had other things arranged for after the march yesterday which meant we didn’t have time to spend the hours needed to edit the videos and interviews. Having busted our guts running up and down photographing and filming the march and… Read more »

Sally Perry
Admin
Reply to  Sally Perry
20, February 2011 8:37 am

Just one more point, no one has done more than VB to highlight the massive proposed budget cuts over the last year. We broke the story on proposed closure of Westminster House. Broke the story on the library proposals (much to the fury of the council), Ventnor Botanic Garden and Waterside Pool. Pulled the Conservative budget proposals apart last Feb/March and well as recently.

JohnW
Reply to  Sally Perry
20, February 2011 12:00 pm

You do a fine job at what you do!! Myself and i am sure so many more appreciate what you do for this island!! THANK YOU……

Don Smith
Reply to  JohnW
20, February 2011 9:06 pm

Yes! I second that – The trouble is not many Tories partisipate on VB, they just look in to see what’s going on, then go to sleep again.

Braveheart
Reply to  Wight Social Worker
20, February 2011 2:34 pm

I would like to convey a very big ‘Thank You!’ to Simon and Sally Perry of Ventnor Blog who work tirelessly for the Island people, in covering a wide variety of issues often in the face of opposition to bring us breaking news. Their unwavering dedication to work without payment for our benefit should be praised instead of being met with derisory comments, about their lack of… Read more »

Steephill Jack
Reply to  Braveheart
20, February 2011 3:22 pm

Well said ! running VB must be like being a Ventnor Town Councillor: hard work for no payment and no much thanks for it either.

docile denny
Reply to  Steephill Jack
20, February 2011 3:47 pm

Yes Steephill are quite right about little or no thanks. Last night at after 11pm VB sent me an e-mail. Simon and Sally put everything into this site, do a great job and trying to balance family life with everything else they do is no easy task. They are certainly “worth their weight in gold”.

comutiny
20, February 2011 4:31 am

Good to see so much energy! Seems the people of the Isle of wight have started to shake off the winter hybernation feeling. We are clearly starting to show our disgust for the cuts proposed by pugh and his “Lounge lizards”. People will not accept having their comunity auctioned of to private business or closed. Neither should we be expected to provide essential public services on an… Read more »

Wight Social Worker
Reply to  comutiny
20, February 2011 7:48 am

Beautifully put.

Don Smith
Reply to  comutiny
20, February 2011 9:11 pm

Yes very well put.

I have informed all my family on the mainland to bring their potties with them, but where oh where will they empty them:-)

Will the Council issur super scoops? :-)

DaveQ
Reply to  Don Smith
21, February 2011 8:20 am

The Council Chamber??

DaveQ
20, February 2011 6:39 am

I know there are literacy problems on the Island, which is why we need the libraries, but from the above list of comments it appears that a large number of those spouting on this blog can’t count either! There were over 1000 before we left the quay, by the time we reached the minster another 300+ had joined us. To all those who made the effort, thank… Read more »

cath
20, February 2011 9:37 am

I know we like to talk these things up (there were 500, no 1000, no 1500, at least) as a shopper in Newport on Saturday I’d say it was in the hundreds, not thousands. Either way, even 1500 at tops must be considered somewhat disappointing? If you believed some of the comments on here you’d think the whole Island was up in arms about this. I mean,… Read more »

biggmarket
Reply to  cath
20, February 2011 10:15 am

Whether 1000, 500 or 1500 took part does bot matter. You should never knock peolple’s right to demonstrate. Having said that I come back to a point I have made elsewhere namely that every local authority in England is making cuts simply because they have to. The Government has cut IOW’s funding and will not allow the shortfall to be made up by council tax rises. Yes… Read more »

sue m
Reply to  biggmarket
20, February 2011 11:14 am

The whole point is that there are choices to be made over salaries and the extent of the cuts, as well as where any cuts are made. It still seems that back office costs and executive pay could be reduced further. Many of us believe that the cuts are driven by ideology,namely a desire to dismantle the state and privatise as much as possible. The purpose of… Read more »

No.5
Reply to  biggmarket
20, February 2011 1:32 pm

the budget cut was only 9 million…its £17million simply because Pugh has already spent what he hasn’t got

retired hack
Reply to  cath
20, February 2011 11:11 am

That seems a very curious idea of what an “outsider” is. Trade unions represent very large numbers of council workers facing the sack on the island. Those people joined unions voluntarily to represent their interests. The people who work for the Council, and their leaders, have just as legitimate an interest in what’s going on as Council Tax payers, service users and everyone else. And if pay… Read more »

Wight Social Worker
20, February 2011 10:02 am

How pessimistic. I’d have been happy with 500, I just think it was more. The overall support from shoppers and shop workers was overwhelmingly positive. Lots of information given out to people to inform them of the impact of the cuts too. I marched with people from all different backgrounds, lots non union and with their own causes for concern.

montana sliver
20, February 2011 10:58 am

People who are too apathetic to stand up for themselves, let alone others, criticising others that can be bothered to make the effort is bad enough but what is this talk of outsiders?

The vast majority who oppose these unnecessary cuts are not the outsiders in this.

James Arrow
20, February 2011 11:04 am

The demo was brilliant!!! Video and photographic evidence shows it was well over 1000 who took part. Congratulations to the unions who organised it and everyone who took part. For every one on the demo there is probably another 5 who were thinking about it and thousands more who are sympathetic. The whole island might not be up in arms yet but things are moving in the… Read more »

Lilly
Reply to  James Arrow
20, February 2011 11:23 am

Although there was a good show of young people at the march yesterday I would have like to have seen more. Is there no political will in college and sixth forms to keep students informed on whats happening? Keep up the FANTASTIC job you’re doing VB covering the current, local events, and letting us, the public in on stories that ‘they’ (whoever they may be) would rather… Read more »

Sally Perry
Admin
Reply to  Lilly
20, February 2011 11:56 am

Thanks Lilly for your support.

sue m
Reply to  Lilly
20, February 2011 5:11 pm

Yes,really good work VB! Not only do you do a great job for the island but I know a lot of people (including some of the national press)follow you on the mainland. So you really help in spreading the word about what’s happening on the IOW and in gaining us more media attention.

wightgeek
Reply to  James Arrow
20, February 2011 3:22 pm

Can I just make the point that a large number of us involved with the Stop The Cuts Alliance are NOT unionists or political animals, just normal concerned citizens.

I have never been a trade union member or indeed a member of any political party. I just a guy who is simply disgusted with what is going on and decided to do something about it.

Mike Judge
20, February 2011 4:57 pm

One good point, rarely made is that any council leader with even half a brain could see the cuts coming, regardless of who won the election. To cry now because the cuts are ‘too sudden’ is pathetic. Britain joined the world in entering recession at the end of 2008, Northern Rock was our beginning. You couldn’t miss it. Any council leader or CX failing to implement spending… Read more »

playingthenumbers
21, February 2011 12:48 pm

My first point is that it was great to see such a representative cross section of Island society marching on Saturday. Folks from all walks of life, united in the belief that the Council in their proposals have got it wrong. Hats off to those who organized the rally. My Second point is that the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), the ‘independent’ think tank, whose research is… Read more »