‘WE ARE marching on Saturday 2nd May to defend Ealing Hospital A&E and Maternity Departments,’ Scott Dore, Workers Revolutionary Party candidate for Ealing Central and Acton said yesterday.
Speaking outside the closure-threatened west London hospital, Scott insisted: ‘We are demanding that the trade unions occupy to defend these services. We are fighting for a workers government to defend the NHS.
‘Our May Day march is assembling at the front of the hospital at 1pm and moving off at 2pm, marching through Hanwell and West Ealing to a rally at Christ the Saviour Church Hall on Ealing Broadway at 3pm.
We’re urging all local people and trade unionists to join this march.
‘We have been holding weekly Friday pickets of the hospital for over two years and have spoken to many people – hospital workers and the local community – who are completely united in opposition to the closure.
‘The only ones in favour of closure are the Tories. But Labour also say they won’t reverse the Tory closure plan, which is completely unacceptable.
‘We think the trade unions must call a general strike to defend the NHS, and bring in a workers government.’
Health Care Assistants being trained at Ealing Hospital stopped and spoke to Scott.
Nadine said: ‘Ealing hospital is vital, Northwick Park is too far away.’
Paula said: ‘My son was born here. The Tories are the enemy of the NHS.’
Lorraine said: ‘My daughter was born here. I live in Perivale and this is my closest hospital. It’s vital for a huge population – Southall, Northolt, Ealing. I’m going on the march and I’ll tell all my friends.’
Faliane said: ‘This is a great hospital, it must not close.’
Beth added: ‘It’s the heart of the community.’
The Vote Scott Dore WRP campaign team got support for the march at Greenford bus garage yesterday morning.
Driver and Unite member Ray said: ‘I live in Southall and all of Southall needs that hospital. All busworkers and all residents rely on it.’
Driver and Unite member Ahmed Areh said: ‘It’s a very important hospital and is my local hospital. I will come on the march and we will get our union branch to support it.’