I AM writing this letter to extend thanks on behalf of the Dumbarton and District Multiple Sclerosis branch.

The branch held its 40th anniversary party on September 3 at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium in Dumbarton and it was a great success.

As a result of various fundraising efforts leading up to the party, the branch managed to raise £2,333.

Our thanks go to the Reporter for giving us a platform to increase local awareness.

Our thanks also for the many donations of help and support from local businesses, in particular Jenners at Loch Lomond Shores, Dumbarton TOA and Ardarden Estate.

Most of all a huge thank you to the community for its generosity and kindness.

Due to demand and the success of the party, the branch has decided to organise a Christmas party on Friday December 3 at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium from 7pm until late.

Keep an eye on the Reporter diary page over the coming weeks for more details.

Sheena Rollo Fundraising officer Dumbarton and District MS Branch CLYDEBANK Trades Council will be holding an anti-cuts meeting in Clydebank Lesser Town Hall at 7pm on Thursday November 25.

Guest speakers include Ross Finnie, MSP for the Liberal Democrats, Conservative Martyn McIntyre, Socialist historian professor John Foster and Stephen Boyd of the STUC.

It was standing room only at the last anti-cuts meeting on September 23, so come early if you want a seat.

Again this forms part of the build-up to March 26 2011 and the big London protest against the cuts.

Hundreds of thousands are expected to descend on the capital. Already cracks are starting to appear inside the Con-Dem coalition Government as its euphoria fades and the reality and the consequences of what it is about to inflict on the nation hits home.

Frankly, I don't think the British people will stand for it - the Scots certainly won't.

I envisage massive social unrest when these cuts begin to bite hard.

We need to stop this Government applying the economic thumbscrews now and make them think again.

There are alternatives. A one-off 20 per cent windfall tax on the rich is one of any number of solutions.

They are continuing to make a fortune throughout the economic crisis.

Keep the pressure on and take it one battle at a time.

United we can bring this closet bankers Government down, reconstitute the Labour Party in favour of the working class and the trades union and proceed from there. This country is in debt like Bill Gates is in debt.

Credit united debt finance have been hinge multi-million dollar money-spinners for the rich.

"Invitation only" investors have made vast fortunes out of it.

We need a government that will force these parasites to earn their keep.

James Graham, Socialist News