COHSE Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital May 1986

COHSE Bethlem & Maudsley branch campaign demonstration on 12 May 1986

Lib Dem's - Nowhere to Run

Liberal Democrat conference cancelled over protest fears

Friday 03 December 2010

by Adrian Roberts
Morning Star

Fears over student protests have forced the Liberal Democrats to abandon a regional party conference planned for Saturday 4th December 2010.

Demonstrators had planned to target the event to voice their anger over the Lib Dems' ditching of a general election pledge to oppose tuition fee rises.

It had been set to take place at a north London school but party bosses were forced to look for somewhere else when the head teacher raised security concerns.

When the second venue (Royal Horticultural Halls in Vincent Square), said the same thing, the whole thing was pushed back to February.

"It has been postponed because of the venues' fears for security," a party spokesman said.

Fiona Edwards, a spokeswoman for protest organisers the Free Education Campaign, said the Lib Dems were "running scared."

"This reflects the fact that they are feeling the pressure from these student protests. They are running scared but we will keep chasing them down."

Ms Edwards said they had been expecting up to 1,000 people but were not sure whether any protest would go ahead now.

"It is a shame that they won't engage with students on this issue," she added.

MPs will vote on increasing fees 9th December. The Liberal Democrats continue to agonise over whether to vote for the plan.

The party is deeply divided, with some determined to vote against the measure in line with election promises.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, the target of much student anger, has refused to say how he plans to vote

Liar Liar Video - Join The Resistance

COHSE Nurses - No Cuts 1980

Excellent and widely used COHSE Nursing poster dating from circa 1980-1982

Join The Resistance: No Cuts

COHSE No Cuts in 1987

COHSE Campaigning in 1987 against the cuts

COHSE Conference 1986 Report

COHSE members are looking to turn 1987 into “No cuts year” with a large –scale centrally directed campaign to defend the Health & Social Services.

That was the message from Chris Hart of Maudsley Branch moving Resolution 55. He said: 'We are asking for a campaign run along similar lines to the political fund.

campaign. 'We want to use the media of all forms. We want videos, leaflets, meetings for members of the public and for health workers.'.

And he urged delegates: 'Take this resolution back to your members, take it to
every region and carry on the campaign.'

He was backed by Jean Winship of Bethlem Royal, who said: 'The public doesn’t'
know the true facts.' And she outlined the savage cuts in staffing, pay and conditions in the hospitals.

The resolution was accepted for the NEC by General Secretary David Williams, who urged: 'Don't vote for the resolution and then forget it. Vote for it and then do something about it.” And he went on: 'Here is a wonderful resolution that can unite us in action in campaign.'

COHSE had given full support to miners in their fight, and it had played an
active role in other workers battles, we have supported every working class struggle there is,' he said. Now COHSE had the opportunity to fight united against the cuts.

The resolution was CARRIED.

Conference also backed a call by Cllr Michael Walker of Hillingdon and District Branch, moving Resolution 56, to support London Health Emergency. LHE, he said, was a model of how to run a campaign. And he told delegates: 'COHSE has played an important role and we are proud of the work we have done.'

Bill Nimmo of Dumfries and Galloway played tribute to LHE, whose fame, he said, had spread far beyond London. 'This group of people have been prepared to highlight what Thatcherism is doing to the Health Service,' he said.

David Williams, for the NEC, promised that COHSE would continue to give its
support to LHE. The resolution was CARRIED.

NOTE:
While the COHSE no cuts campaign meet with mixed success, it undoubtedly increased the national profile of COHSE and possibly contributed to the confidence amongst the more advanced elements of the membership. Leading to the successful strike action by COHSE nurses in 1988. A dispute which rocked the Thatcher government and secured major pay rises for nurses.

Chris Hart became a COHSE Regional Officer but returned to his beloved nursing