Wed 15 Apr 2020, 04:02 AM | Posted by editor
LETTER from Tom Smith, Newport West Labour Party
Obviously I cannot reach a lot of workers at this time, but every one I do speak to asks questions. There is a thirst for political answers. These are some of my answers:
“Assume you were in power now. What industries would you run, assuming you owned those industries, and how can those frontline workers be protected?”
The answer I give is that workers will decide on priority industries and conditions under which production takes place. We are talking about a plan of production here. Try covering that in one minute.
“How would you deal with landlords who want their rents and banks that want mortgage payments?” My answer? I would take the flats over. I do not want greedy landlords. Again, I would nationalise the banks and look to workers’ judgements on mortgages
Industries deemed non-essential
“If vital industries are working away, how do you deal with the poor, and all the others who need money to survive day to day?” My answer: in short, an economy only partially in operation can support, say, the other fifty per cent who are forced not to work, because their industries are non –essential. Look at the range of activities volunteers are doing: food parcel deliveries, checking on the elderly. We could even have a volunteer group of workers to carry out vital repairs as well as those working for industries that workers own and control. Again, workers will decide on incomes and maybe re-training so we can share out work and reduce hours. That was a tough one.
Lockdown without gardens
“How would deal with the lockdown that’s making parents with children, shut in flats without gardens from going mad behind four walls all day?” A nurse asked me this. These are tough questions. Staying indoors is the one way to prevent the spread of the virus. How then can those in a mess get outdoor activities that would be safe. I can’t see an easy answer to this question, but for child care and schools where teachers and pupils are offered a safe environment. Again, we should give maximum powers to the local community, to open up public spaces like parks and school playing fields where schools are shut. Perhaps we can think of a range of activities whilst keeping the rules of social distancing.
These questions are asked and we discuss them while I’m sitting at the front door, normally drinking tea and having a fag. It’s funny me bawling answers across the road as they, the questioners, are carrying back bags of shopping.
What would you say?
