We write this blog as we enter into the first few days of a new political landscape in Hull. The Liberal administration was convincingly defeated in all but two of the ward areas in this election round, which sent out a clear message from the public that they had become dissatisfied with the Liberal approach locally, with this inevitably also linked to the national picture.
It is perhaps not surprising that communities like Hull have sent out a message and used their first opportunity to ‘bite back.’ Northern authorities like Hull, North East Lincolnshire, Sheffield, or Liverpool, who have large working class communities, areas of genuine poverty and complex social issues, also have as a result, large public and voluntary sector infrastructures. These areas in particular have been decimated by Tory cuts.
It could be argued that this is in fact not simply a tragic co-incidence. The formula used to determine the level of cuts to Local Authority areas had the most dramatic impact upon Northern cities. It is not a co-incidence that many of the wealthier Tory authorities have not had to endure anywhere near the same level of funding reductions. As a result, their communities have remained comparatively unaffected. These are the same communities where in this latest round of elections, the Tories have managed to maintain their local seats. David Cameron has been defined by his party post local election as being the ‘Lord of all he surveys.’
Many people in Hull have already felt this gradual dismantling of the welfare state and loss of services to some of the most vulnerable, in very real terms. The reduction of support services, closure of some community organisations and the threat of living in communities which are made even more ‘unsafe’ for vulnerable children, young people and families has been too much to bear. This is perhaps epitomised most clearly by a recent letter from a group of Managers in Hull Social Care, which was leaked to the Hull Daily Mail, highlighting some of their very real concerns about the potential impact the scale of cuts would have on vulnerable children in the city.
This has led to some public challenge and demonstration in Hull, with a reinvigorated, politicised approach by many to make a stand against what they perceive to be wrong, perhaps one of the most vociferous displays emerging from the unions.
It has not helped the Liberal position locally that the party nationally has chosen to align itself as a coalition to the Tories. In many ways, the value base and ideology of the parties have been diametrically opposed. The issue of tuition fees has been one of the issues that has burned the Liberals. It is this kind of U-turn in policy thinking that has caused such significant damage.
The impact of this national policy locally has been far reaching. In addition to aspirations being damaged and higher Education seemingly being put out of reach, Hull City Council is now allegedly set to remove the opportunity for paying for the university education of Care leavers for whom they have a corporate responsibility. This could be a tragedy and could well be the thing that would prevent those young people, who have been in many ways failed and among the most vulnerable in Hull, from achieving a degree against already slim odds.
As previously posted via our Guest blog, the far right had made attempts to capitalise on national dissatisfaction and targeted Hull. Thankfully, none of the candidates made any real progress, but the fact that they are planting seeds in the city, offers a challenge from the right that simply must not be ignored, if communities in Hull are to flourish.
So, what next?
The implications and challenges for the city are huge, as we will see a new wave of power, influence and philosophy. We will see new alliances and relationships and an expectation, by many, to stem the tide of public sector funding cuts.
Against the backdrop of initial euphoria that some across the city will be experiencing, will quickly come to the realisation of the sober challenges that still exist. The financial envelope remains the same. The same public and voluntary sector infrastructure is in place. The demands and challenges of establishing an effective business community or the development of the Humber renewable programme will take some real political endeavour.
Speaking of ‘Endeavour’, there are a plethora of ‘smaller-scale’ issues that will need tackling, some of which are highlighted in the Hull Daily Mail today. There is also the local media, who will be watching very closely every move, decision and response from the new administration.
Hull’s very own ‘Pocket Paxman’, Peter Levy offered a disappointing welcome to Cllr Brady on Look North. Levy stating that he perceived Cllr Brady to be ‘friend of the unions’ and patronisingly questioning whether or not he had the capacity or 'skills to negotiate with an MD of a large multi-national?' Regardless of political persuasion, it is not helpful to have ‘an ‘impartial BBC’ stooping to cheap shots like this. It certainly doesn’t help Hull.
All of this also comes with an increased weight of expectation from local communities, unions and local business.
Whatever happens and whoever is in the driving seat, we remain committed to supporting and enabling the process of achieving successful communities within Hull. We wish the administration well, as we did the last and will no doubt the next.
What is important is that we have a forward thinking, inclusive and inspirational Hull.
That is our statement of well-being – Getting there remains our collective challenge.
Best
HullRePublic
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