Monday night saw the screening of the film Billion Pound Gamble in Committee room 12 of the Houses of Parliament. We had excellent overviews from Bill Esterson MP, who's own Sefton Council has brought services back in house after 5 years. He also spoke with great knowledge about the national picture of councils rejecting their failed outsourcing contracts, such as Southwest One, Liverpool Council and others. There was an introduction from David Anderson MP, who also talked about the national picture, and how it was affecting vulnerable people. Hilary Benn MP also came down briefly at the start to show his support as well.
They showed first the brilliant cartoon that explains the One Barnet idea in a simple and easy to follow way, and must be watched. This recieved one of the biggest applauses of the night.
I have seen the film before, and if you haven't then buy it! I'm not going to describe it, other than to say it is very much worth seeing.
in the Q & A afterwards there was an excellen discussion, very enlightening and elightened. There were a lot of people who were not usual activists, and a lot of young people as well. Some were not inhenerntly against outsourcing, but agreed that the biggest problem was the failure to consult, and the failure to do a proper in house comparison bid.
I think this was a worthwhile session and I am glad members of Parliament are sitting up and taking notice.
