‘The House believes that public sector spending cuts are not only inevitable but desirable’
Tuesday 21st September 2010
The Council House Debating Chamber, Nottingham
6.00pm – 7.30pm
The next debate in the Nottingham Speakers’ Corner calendar of public showcase debates takes place on Tuesday 21st September in the Council House Debating Chamber at 6pm when the motion will be:
‘This House believes that public sector spending cuts are not only inevitable but desirable’
Speaking for the motion is Neville Baxter, President of The RH Group Limited and against the motion is Ravi Subramanian, regional head of the local government, police and energy team for UNISON. The debate will be chaired by Charles Walker of the Nottingham Post and will draw on a number of experts and activists in the audience to bring all views to the subject.
Steven Fletcher, the deputy editor of the Post, said: “The anticipated spending cuts will touch most of us, either directly or indirectly. Some people may lose a valued service, or it may be offered in a different way. Sadly, thousands of jobs are going to go in our communities and it remains to be seen what impact that has on the economy as a whole.
The cuts are already a major topic of debate. The Post wants to give residents the chance to have their say. It is important people speak out to let the policy makers know their views. It is also vital we hear directly from those involved so residents can influence their thinking.”
Chair of Nottingham Speakers’ Corner Committee Jackie Morris says: “In the current climate we are seeing many more people getting up and speaking out about the impact spending cuts will have on their lives, their businesses and their neighborhoods. Speakers’ Corner provides the forum for face-to-face debate and we are delighted to be working with the Nottingham Post to give both experts and activists a voice”.
This debate is open to the general public. Please register from 5.30pm at the Council House Main Reception Desk and follow directions to the Debating Chamber.
ENDS
Media Contacts:
Louise Third, Integra Communications for Speakers’ Corner 0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342.
Notes to Editors
Speakers’ Corner Trust (www.speakerscornertrust.org) is a registered charity, founded in 2007, which promotes free expression, public debate and active citizenship as a means of revitalising civil society in the UK and supporting its development in emerging democracies.
SCT pursues its aims by forming local Speakers’ Corner Committees made up of representatives of the public, private and voluntary sectors which ‘own’ and steer projects designed to stimulate and support public debate. Their work may include establishing new Speakers’ Corners in public spaces as symbols of citizens’ rights, focuses for civic identity and platforms for public engagement. But at the heart of each initiative lies a programme of debates, discussions and other events designed by the local Committee to reach every community in its area.
The central principle in all these events is that they should be accessible to all, strictly non-partisan and non-adversarial, welcome diversity and seek to inform opinion and identify common ground. SCT’s approach is based on the belief that association between citizens and the free, face-to-face exchange of ideas, information and opinions – with each other as well as with the decision-takers among them – is a key to rebuilding trust and participation in Britain’s civil society and developing vibrant civil institutions and robust rights in emerging democracies.