It was supposed to be the dazzling launch of new Labour's local election campaign in Oxford on April 11, but instead Labour's 'big hitter' cabinet ministers (John Prescott and Treasury Secretary Andrew Smith) were greeted by a demented PFI privatisation fat cat - and a small crowd of irate socialists. While local hospitals and staff are being sold as part of PFI deals, as Oxford's postal workers face huge job losses and Headington, Quarry and as the County Council Risinghurst, Rose Hill and makes yet another £9 mil- Iffley, and St Mary's), follion cuts in Social lowing on the vigorous Services, things were campaign challenging bound to be tough for Andrew Smith in Oxford East in last year's general They are increasingly election. being caught in the politi- Discomfort cal crossfire from their 'friends' in the unions and The discomfort of the the new force on the left dwindling band of Labour - the Socialist Alliance. faithful who turned out to The Alliance is standing hear Smith and Prescott six candidates in selected at Rose Hill First School wards across the City was plain to see, as (Blackbird Leys, Churchill, protesters handed out leaflets publicising the arrival of their own "big hitter, Rodney Bickerstaffe, the pensioners leader and ex-General Secretary of the country's biggest union, UNISON.
Bickerstaffe, with high powered team of medical professionals and union leaders, is expected to deliver a stinging rebuke of Labour's privatisation policy at a public meeting called on April 24 at 7.30pm at the Town Hall in Oxford.