News / Politics
Video: Marvin Rees confronts cuts protest
Marvin Rees defended plans to cut 1,000 jobs at City Hall in front of about a dozen protesters at a demonstration organised by Unite the union.
In a video recorded by Rabble News UK, the mayor said he was opposed to the Government’s austerity policies but stopped short of committing to leading a protest on the streets of Bristol – saying it would not be “tactically smart”.
Asked by campaigners if he would lead an anti-austerity protest to send a message to the Government, Rees said: “The question is whether it would be tactically smart of me to call a protest on the streets of Bristol; that’s the question we have to take on.
“One of the best bits of advice I have received is know when to keep your powder dry for the right occasions.”
He said that he would be going to Westminster to make the case for protecting councils from further funding cuts from Whitehall, adding that he would keep campaigners informed about the trip to so they could organise a simultaneous protest on the streets.
He added that “austerity is a choice” and a “false economy”. He said investment in front line services pays off in the long run.
He said he did not plan to go to London alone: “My hope is that I can turn up there with other institutions in Bristol that depend on a viable local government. That goes across the health service, criminal justice, education and, I would say, business.”
Top photo from Rabble News UK YouTube channel
Read more: Labour councillor suspended
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
