Labour councillors to learn fate for defying cuts

Councils across Britain are facing tough decisions about how to fund public services because Con-Dem government cuts have left many with severe shortfalls in cash.

Hull City Council's ruling Labour group proposed cuts to services in their budget which was passed last month.

But councillors Gill Kennett, Gary Wareing and Dean Kirk bravely defied strict instructions to vote with their colleagues for the cuts.

Ms Kennett told the Star today the decision has left her in a "scary place" but the former social worker said she wasn't prepared to cut services which were a "lifeline" to families she worked with.

The three councillors were among the first to sign the Labour Representation Committee's (LRC) pledge to reject the argument that cuts are "necessary" and vote against them.

They were also among 60 councillors, trade unionists and community anti-cuts campaigners at Saturday's national meeting of the LRC's councillors against cuts campaign held in Birmingham.

Left Labour MP John McDonnell spoke at the conference where delegates resolved to defend anti-cuts councillors from victimisation and expulsion from the Labour party.

LRC national secretary Pete Firmin rebutted the argument that any council administration that refused to make cuts would be replaced by Westminster-imposed commissioners, saying it was still a legal "grey area."

Ms Kennett said the "supportive" meeting had given her hope "that there are people with the same values and beliefs."