London Labour Briefing no. 77

‘NO GO’ FOR THATCHER IN 0U

INNER CITIES

Immediately after her re-election, Thatcher went on telly to announce that her government “intended to sort out the inner cities”.

it didn’t require much imagination for those of us in NUPE and other council unions to realise just who exactly in the inner cities she intended to sort out!

Her next act was to appoint Nicholas Ridley (the man who thinks Adam Smith was a Keynesian) to spearhead the assault. The Tory programme is certainly ‘‘radical” by any test. It will ultimately involve the dismantling of most council housing, the ending of many local services, and the handing over to big business of virtually any local provision that can be turned to profit.

The “Queen's Speech” on June 25th (which even

caused a few raised eyebrows from its reader] went on to detail how London and other big cities were going to follow the lead of Hong Kong and Seoul. It contained four major proposals: ‘Local authority housing will be undermined by extending “Right to Buy”, by PAL (pick a landlord scheme — housing association or property speculator), by handing over housing powers to Docklands-style quanges, and by forcing rents up again and again to make council housing totally unattractive. The remain10-20% of council stock will then be run as ‘welfare housing” on the American model.

‘@The bill to privatise services vital to everyone (such as cleansing and road repairs, etc.) through compulsory tendering will be revived.

‘@Charges will be imposed on things like nursery places, meals-on-wheels, home helps, etc.

Local authority control over education. will be dismantled. City colleges will be government-run and schools in wealthy areas will be allowed to opt out of council control, following again the US model of rich private and poor public sectors of education.

The Tory assault has now moved to the heartlands of both trades unionism and the Labour vote. In Boroughs like Hackney, where my own union is based, the only large groups of organised workers are in the public

Continued on back page

By KEITH VENESS

(NUPE Branch Secretary, Hackney Officers}

Sorting out the inner cities Thaicher-siple: if we can't say “no g0" now, will this be the Tories” response?

HOTO: JP, Petures Led

“Tandon Labour Briefing No. 77 July 8th-21st 1987 page 2

London Region Conference BRIEFING FRINGE

Tell the right wing: peat

Sunday July 12th, 12.30pm

~ You lost us the election!) oS

ina paper tothe ALA, accepted and finance (non-unionised) members and who has been rth Re osit ir Tis London Tabour SargrteteALAseem! sel fone, Gonmtoniad) seater oot vie pm: | Walworth Road (opposite ae

Party Costeresce, Yost _us votes, renie accom tion, = usuT rol c postponed from Mares, GE SOS atomeommeicase’ Baan Uerty ia) will finally or over ber own borough, isingion, aring prope) pres, The Weave slo fight on our Speakers: The weekend of July 11th where both our candidates danger now, of cours, is that hands in London to defend our : and 12th. = Inreased their votes, this wil be used by the sight indasries, transport. system, Mildred Gordon, MP oo Ye ‘did badly in Lond the fe ce we imtondon wing’ a2” the. excuse for homing stock, Beallh service, : = ‘The Conference should be __"snd much worse than we modifying policies to pander to education system and municipal Sharon Atkin well timed to hold 9 should have done considering the yuppy middle classes, Services. The resolutions and ‘ Feosoued discussion on the he good eultsin the Horouge 'eThat massive rate ees hit amendments on the agenda of Jo Fawkes, Chair, Camden E TETST the peoctal cection snd° IEA ection only 12 the working clssas much asthe the Conference were submited resalt of the general tection omhs egos Bt where ‘mide cas something some in. January, wih a recuring NALGO

heetoee to am Wetec iun ores arusharebecnsayingforseus. theme of "Whe neat" Labout e defend Londoners against me eor years by high-profile The clection came too sood government” Mandy Mudd, Positive images

‘another five years of Tory Covncils and. constituency after April's rate bills for ‘Emergency resolutions are

attacks. ties to expose government Ealing, Waltham Forest and needed to make the Conference Chi ‘Time for this discussion is policies and explain Labour's to Hammersmith & Fulham topical. We need to develop our

being scheduled for the PSnthesuppottof and eobiis’ falepayes To ace any evidence postive polices and work out Jeremy Corbyn, MP

opened by the Chair or the oaeery ‘then people voted ations 6 collective provision of jobs and. Cc

General Secretary puting Labor ___ face ccionof te worice Ex deta ul 0s ampaign

= those of Walworth Road. By Joan Twelves eee ye eee ee =. ge

tnd Kinpock's ott asthe Vauxhall CLP ieee nea ioe yeas ot me econ | Forum/Labour Briefing

It will inevitably be polarised ‘This was seen in Lambeth, slurs against. © candidates militancy, not demoralisation. FRINGE MEETING

cont, re coue Oe toe ci mee cee oie toie a tomes | Saturday June 11th, 12.45pm

left counciors pursuing policies "These areas have not been the Fs of the es, {hat Labour is ot defeated and of equal opportunites immiete “om London's "As Jaemy Corbyn pointed is not going to ist London Teun fo eu senvces— and demopaphi changes They out tient te of Bring, Sesto, .. London College of Printing those mho rojet iis view and have bu the focus of media where the eft campaign a when we debate. the Mat the Conference 10 start attacks Tor years Supporters of voters returned to Labour. We election and talk about _the Elephant & Castle Sneaking 2 phtback Mee Sado citeses theory cannot allow the right to take “London effet", and when we ‘Fhe Wiw that the’ London haveigeplain why inborought the offensive, using “London” plan campaigns agains the pall Speakers: Lefties the cletion for about mon entiied wih the leis as away of hiding ther failure tax and 10 defend the ILEA, ‘ Nate rgecs oe erm tend om othe fpr th eon td tig Gunlgnenin ee a Eric Heffer, MP hepa offer, fave bee Eaton oe a ee mee ual coming “Landon: Ann Pettifor, LWAC Seaamenmepanllee puts Gc toate” eet ocmentemtnytine Gur tu ee cmt Peter Willsman, CLPD that bad rouls went iby the one never mentioned bythe of ie Londgn Fayence Kegel EC ial dessons|| _ Linda Bellos, LP Black Sections

de ipod, once Sat Matmorth Read permite, Deir fttemrat acd ies iting w London ae boa ‘efi

3 Bieri cent ecco Lanon Sesser Sete era|” Graham Bash, Labourerieving Dubs have or Bem oan SHE LON sing Sela Sas rh oad domi hls wicked wal bea wane Hewitt theme that “‘grannies industry, the resultant eotees jmtend to change their habits of time. LCLGR

oe Se ee ee ee

, ee area arts via ts tldt bore we

en a n= ill warm, the “Chair of the

‘Brifing’s slate for <== DOLITICAL COMMITTEE

the REC elections go ao eS,

‘The Chair & Treasurer (Glenys Thornton & Brian {he Covfernce. for, fe new | 1 T ONDON Nicholsaa) will be elected unopposed. Saoe the abolion of the GLC SAYS "he 8 women representatives have already been elected he REC hs a wo Ger role REGION 's Conference trates been icessingy | [OO ire Reta Services Lk SUPPORT zB Constituency Section nored, not just by ek eens Only’ the CLPs in the boroughs concerned can vote to elect their Sonstltvency and trade pion borough's representative. Im some groups, there is only one SUVGtE Whose Has ecevant, Somintion. fy some others, Briefing is unable to give postive Ut abo by is own Ssoport 9 any of the aominees, Briefing recommends support for ~"eRational Party, ihe felowing (borough group in brackets) tact, for, the pest x Martin Hughes, Enfield North, (Barnet & Enfield) months, the REC and its John Hiller, Beckenham, (Bromley & Bexley) arenes taste ee Jefemy Corby, Islington North, (Camden & Islington) ical byemucl, The London Madhav Patil, Ealing Southall, (Ealing & Brent) Fay Soe Chris Rogers, Hayes & Harlington, (Hillingdon & Harrow) Difice, wi on horaion t the Swansea Co-operative Congress in 1917 that the Co-op took. the Kingsley Abrams, Wimbledon, (Kingston & Merton) Sp eg ee | ae pees coerce gress 1 tat Pape ora raed eae eceieny fesse. No designs a fccision to enter politics. The Movement wanted. direct represenoan Twelves, Vaushal, (Southwark & Lambeth) Regional tation by Cocoperators in the House of Commons. It saw this as the most eter Spalding, Croydon Central, (Sution & Crowdon) committee | ate = GHective meats of "voicing the demands of the Co-operative Movement and Diana Minns,” Hornsey & Wood Green, (Waltham Forest & seplemetnhiatt ter eomtad safeguarding its interests". eee Ed members are ignored Ae he Gata dpacrto wo heceas at ieee cee Ae oa existence. But it was the punitive actions of the war-time. coalition m ae ene Clonedy far more Co-op employees had been conscripted than, other retal = eee The Tat straw’ wes te Imposition ofthe "wingfall polite tax" on Co-op Siar Lesbian & Gay Rights! REC. woot cd Societies in 117. Tos meant taxing co-operates! savings, For ws if was ‘Support Labour's policy! Seaon, hier mand fone" ne ine oe ‘ in Emergency Co-operative Congress was convened at Central/Hally West Lobby of London Labour delegates on | 5S SS.Lg00°? “Seemuce Inussters on, 7th ad lath Getober_ 1917, which agreed. to. sel. up_the 12 noon, July 11th, Leisure handpicked by Walworth Road Goapefative Pari. WT» Allon, Chaicman of he. Joint Parhaimencry Conueiclsohent:& Cacti GF Gens Thorton Baas smite roped he Nese atin elt: Bring your banners! sa Recher ad Cs sCoraperatio is a theory of society and, thereore, estimate “4 ‘Support resolution 93! According 10 Sante eG aad f : Organised by LCLGR to poms Slane inepiration ef Robert Owen and the Rochdale: Pioneers. 1 ultimate to bet id of the women and YS chet & the ieaiot of tw Co-peative Conmanwralin & dn of = fepreseotatves, and the sl rcjalist Utopia based upon betion-lpwards not top-downwards contrél:0 No to compulsory redundancies! ‘Spondon oe a ciety: fe the yoice of London.” Tiss

No to the imposition of Baker's m3 pad trade

Lobby of Ee coctecarce: fone aT JOIN THE COOPERATIVE PARTY SHOP AT THE COOP

Saturday July 11th, 9am onwards,

Leisure Centre, Elephant and Castle For further information contact:- Andy Love, Political Secretary, CRS Limited, 78-102 The Broadway, Stratford, London E15 1NL.

Organised by Inner London Teachers” Association anaes

Londo able No. 77 uy ik 240147 page 3

Interview with Steve King

No cuts — still the bottom line

STEVE KING was recently [2 ue awe pul atop lo Sipe King There wil te 2 <2 suport the pple in fpr iici Counc polices that eeate of debate over what and ints 2 Nicaragua, pectaialyinesitinrney ek Preserve all-white estates, and cut — some of which we've

Counc Briefing: The uprising a BrondBernie Grant. Haringe {eee tts ied mene en ce Farm was a waterbed repeatedly hit the headlines “SUG We"harcnto: per. Swe Onto freee TAA. the story “ofthe Borough repeatedly ht the Secondly, we have to per- Ges. We need-aringing endorse. ‘te |MMfOr ofthe, Boroueh. in recent years — over suadethe white Council enants ment from out workforce aad es Cen Broadwater Farm, and others whose support we trades unions that not only do feisuiom 10 F “positive images, and __havelost hat weare not appeal” they wants to fight to main RieMs march? recent challenges to its ing solely to thelr better in- tai their jobs, but to maintain Slee Kings Thanks to the ofbudget by the District ‘ee Se Nene OF eS RN tO WR ORE rae ci tis emi he

neighbours, but also to their therefore to continue filling

Quuditor. Briefing spoke to Common class interests with vacancis

Steve at the Civic Centre in

Farm, rather than against them. Ti scck to maintain that.

3 Back peorie; mith women. wth “"Noone knows for ceraia m Wood Green. the dapossessed in general, and how the next year of so wil, WE il ve as much support Arifing: Tonicer's “tance Mat gather own teens 0 shape vp, Ics incumbent oF EN on request from and fn

‘ies rive fs clearly aimed places like Haringey. How do you think the Councils should Briefing: The Council's budget Fespond. to the package an- is under increasing pressure.

concert with the people on the Farm. 1 would hope that all members of the Labour Group will take part in the March

Labour through the Party, through the labour movement — to stick (0 our commitment to. maintain

minced im the Queen's Speech, This raises the old —— services and jobs at aif cons. itself. t legality. versus Megallty, Briefing: Haringey has received We must make clear that we proposal flance versus compliance oe inns fa sare’ 'ct do find common cause with the Srope King: We have so Steve ‘King: Experience has med abuse. How do'we com, people on Broaivater Farm, a5 Dublicse as widely as possible shown ‘we'need’ an tse, @ bette bad oa? ell as wah all the oxher cam {hat the poll ax isan attack on deadline, a cleat doitom linc. Sieve" King’T don't thik we aigmt. around the deaths of the right 10 voue: We hase to around which we can motile Sig” The mots wil say Bleek people the hands ofthe link it wit the socal engineer” people.” Mobilising around Chatewer tb they wis to so), police-and the misers and other ing proposals on Counct hos. Something at wide tthe flute whatever icy ae sold tS Wade mots unde each ing and education and see these of local government which say: regardless of our efforts ‘ Haringey Counct leader Steve King: dreses up for a photo cal. alla atempis to ciminate key efiect what we are talking“ SEauy in wgtr Care _rleflng: Whats your approach od King: dresses up for a ph pockets of Labour strength about — is difficult if not im- case would help us. We're suing white person replacing so-

Bricing: Haringey tas to share Tesi, The oroblem tthe the Ma at thetmomsent over the Beek Comme tader? ” Stmonsatscarcommitment ig Won whe shar oie ae ot cinta prosperous, wate moment isthatnooneiscleaias Baba Black Sherp sory. Seve King'timcnd tomsiatain lesbian and gay eee ond wit Sova lormene cnltainor es we were to win that. and receive and develop all the links with also demonstrate quite clearly gone back on his commitment

‘working class people, including wit be considered legal or il- substantial costs, it would give Seer Couch ames, whe pil cemae, LE mibaaeiil ows. seal sre | ES goura whack hare bees“ ="ta eryoms ceca te gett fo she ak bowl hee tad

Stem to have. abandoned ipisienegregieab cs toh Established 50 painstaingly in — thar there nothing vo fear reand low do we regain their een ee en the = Lapin Ss few years. Of course, ere and that this is an integr: Soper Nem Cl with which wewon the lat oral trom those who are supposedly” The EAS few Yeas, OC course, here and that this san inteFal isan, Wiad your tesponne Sieve King: On certain estates ections — no cuts in jobs or our allies. We need our national NyarthsOsamor a8 Deputy policy, from which they and {0 the recent ALA meeting? ‘we have demonstrated we can 7xiCe. kadership to come to our aid [eager because of her own their children will benefit. ‘Steve King: It's clear from the ‘maintain a Labour presence and, W° teed 2 Clear indication unhesitatingly when we are STOne links to the Black com- imeeting that if the Leaders take win Labour supper through ‘fom the local Party that they attacked. Se Briefing: What plans have you their various Groups with them Council, Labour Party, and Wil support the Labour Group 2 got fo follow up last year’s Sinn there le basis for a united F focal" community group i,t are forced to adopt an il- Coffee Briefing: The “positive images” Fein visit? campaign of total resistance to “warts. legal road. initiative hhas been unique to Sieve King: We hope to — the government. Thee vats are, however, Briefing The betiom Nee thee _ AUD, we can preseat some of. Haringey. How’ tions‘ tec feoprocaie' the, vi "inh “"Chotades re prepared 0

Bog ae ae extalky denlons nore’ Couns commitment the srosprin te Rorogh're moe canpaand is 200 re ee toncampic, the Newagiee Waateome fications iesmcomicio dation Ske fran

‘as ade, larcty because we ove the nt year? snd other peopl rom the om Soll, | sept this ine com

or BotAl OF tie Chel Rights siarch peared ke in't promote the story in the Steve King: My own priority is munity can speak again with the pletely and would hope that the first place. We didn't make it 10 get the policy implemented comrades who came to Har: Party and the Group in Ha

Haringey see National Labour Briefing. page 2 clear. why we had taken this and running within a year. We — ingey last year ingey feels the same way. We <ecision — that we were buying then have two more years for Again, we need to follow the should resolve to stand firm on this coffee for political reasons, the policy to be in place before example of our comrade from no cuts in jobs or services

London ESCM Fighting Westminster privatisation RESISTANCE Labour A cide brewing In SPaaig Wain eat ty SOE, ty

seiminster eR NUEE Westminster South CLP Lary Quilty. ac bath super

visors and thei- jobs re not in

D D: backs Westminster City Coun. ave no-chance of success and be “their wilingness 0, co The Tories are gearing up for a major offensive, — cil’s privatisation plans. red" thcy ‘wit Wad to om ~ Rina an aM but London will resist! London Labour Briefing feels it The Council intends to josses, pay cuts and worse con- frankly demoralised and_ ter all follow where the fight-back against the Tories is service departments and so example, the number of men on and the printers has sapped theit unions. As well as our usual coverage in longer k mieattecy tens’ failed tn. tro (terts four o be shutting their eyes and fricles, please willcomvades onde shor rors SHAKE ereauerecy has fated 10 — ‘RUPE ic oloing te ame parng "pests Gols neta 19 PO Box 457, London SW2 SUZ; or ring us on O1 One of the first signs of a | So frustrated have a sec- the officer anc supporting in. Labour Group on Westies 733 7016 — keep us in touch with what's going on fightback against the | tion of the membership house tendering with such fer- City Counell need to ‘organise YOR: BON newly-elected gecome that a group of ac- —vour that members of WWAC, — immediately a broad campaign

East Lewisham Labour | Jot Nt 2 atk the wsers af the council services, Only in this way Gan_ the Party voted to back the | 2%¢ fle organisation 10 have been subjected fo organis: union officers be persed into

Takin Za ction Fels te te earns | oreaie ef see sal vilense and ied stand and the

i heartened engage Unemployed Benefit Office | *emseles a ——- 5 . NALGO members took one-day strike action in Waltham Before the. general election | 3-'oq their hands. The los e

ds. The local Forest over a shortage of social workers.and the need for ‘88 CPSA member there | Union officals seem intent on better pay. In New Cross, at Goldsmiths College

the spoke at the Party’s first NALGO branch joined a’ students union gala day 10

campaign meeting after the ee to Lady. Porter's

publicise threatened cuts of £3 million; the branch has a *eetio policy of strike action if the cuts lead to compulsory ‘At Catford UBO, there is e bejaphencs messed ev aden a turnover of 25% and on Action London to Labour Youresere esi inexperience level of 3086 — | Briefing, PO Box 457. TUE JUL 4 many workers are low paid | p,1'%6: NALGO od lg = | TOMY Sw suz, or Lewisham Labour Lett Postal workers and have to claim extra | (9a, jeinei ty NUPEY in oro. | Bhone them in on 733 meeting: Where nate aay benefits themselves. est agains cuts and the Coun | 7016. Please include sa eg

Town Hall, New Cross Road

Being. in the {ron SE14. All welcome,

Solidarity in dispute “<°=

stopped.

Gecision to withdraw trom | access details, Our usual tional Joint Council, bu | Events compiler is on

eet, ee aa ay

Hthe postal dispute in post boxes in the area an ie tie Diss | phoning tn im ptlegah aes solidarity action. ‘The dispute arose over Hall NALGO staff and hav s (National page 8) for Sisters Road, Nd. has led to around a third solidarity detion from c mectings where it | SAT JUL 18 fightbeck. The Party should

| SS ae =

‘NO GO’ FOR THATCHER IN OUR CITIES

‘Comunuea from front page sector ( mainly the Council and ILEA) and these provide much of the driving force for both the union movement and the Labour Party locally.

Nothing less than the total destruction of municipal power will satisfy this government. Having lost virtually every seat in major cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Stoke and Leicester — and having come a bad third in much of Inner London — Thatcher feels she thas nothing to lose in taking apart local democracy and

services. WE HAVE TO PROVE HER WRONG!

leaders — benumbed at this? Resign, comply, or both the failure of the any eee aged pimple the hard left in the elec- some of the more trendy tions oa to this “class of “82” councillors onslaught? who apparently didn’t think

ee aoe

leaders are noticeable only by their low profile. There union representative who hhas been an absence both resigns and walks away of fighting talk, and — more from this fight will never be portant — actual plann- forgiven by those who have ig for a real fightback. to stay and battle on.

More of a surprise has” The battle is far from onebeen the response of sided. This time Thatcher Labour Council leaders in will not be taking on the London. Margaret Hodge, “official” leaders but those as Chair of the ALA, went of us around Briefing and Straight into print to tell us the local government left that“‘defiance is not an op- They will not find us a pushtion’ and seemed to be over, just as they did not suggesting that compliance find Lambeth and Liverpool and negotiation was the on- quite, the easy job they ly way to save anything at believed. Whatever the all — though why Ridley sneers from the right or the should even bother to ultraeft, ratecapping never negotiate in the face of this _ succeeded in cutting one Sort of strategy was not job or any services. The uni-

made clear! ty of the Boroughs and the In fact, defiance and con- mobilisation during the frontation are fast becom- rate-capping campaign

ing the only way of show what can be fighting. We will need to achieved. mobilise thousands of _On the trades union side, tenants to reject the “PAL” we intend to revive the options, industrial action to “London Bridge” structure beat off the privateers, and of rank-and-file shop a united refusal to comply stewards across the Lon. with the govemment’s don Boroughs which was highflying quangos. very powerful in 1985 but ‘The first test for coun- has since fallen away. A cillors will probably be the relaunch of the campaign fent rises planned for April took place at an allhext year — as the govern- Hackney stewards rally on ment cuts the link between July 1st and we intend to the rates and the Housing go onto a battle-footing Revenue Account. This will from there on in. Fequire councillors to vote __ We only have a few mon. for rises of around £5 to £6 ths to prepare. We must each week. use these months to build Tf "Labour councillors up support on the estates, meekly raise their hands for in the workforces, and this, we will probably lose throughout the community. every bye-election for the This is not a fight of our next three years. making — but we had betOf course, the District terbe prepared to use every Auditor will be happily ad- instrument in our arsenal to vising them of dire conse-_ win

Labour Party Black Sections

sends socialist greetings to delegates of the London Labour Party Conference. We urge all delegates to support Black Sections and fight all witch-hunts in the party.

Forward to a Labour victory at the next general election! CHAIR SECRETARY Marc Wandsworth Kingsley Abrams

= Keeping a voice for London

The London left has been set up within the Labour Party as the scapegoat for the general election defeat. According to _ the

By Briefing supporters working at LSPU

‘on of London Authorities, the London Strategic Policy Unit the Docklands Team, the Lon:

Independent _ (29.6.87) don Ecology Unit, and the ‘senior Labour MPs are call Disability Resource Unit

eer a clear cut of, Margaret. Hodge, Chair of tote ie tof he ALA, has set the political

agenda "with 2 discussion Paper that the Daly News (28.6.7) described ass “Counel_cimbdown’”. She ismisses any strategy of defiance such se. that led by Lambeth and Liverpool, and i.

wingers, supporters of Sinn Fein and Marxist socialists through 2 rewriting of the Party rule book.

Queen's speech, Thatcher hoses" cuts. mn pian said fanguoge “‘Just_as we took power Organised

trom the trade union bosses Sul restored, it to ther Linda Bellos, Chair of, the rember, sowemustnow ex. Landon Strategic Policy Com fond to' the people "new ute, 2 edvocating@ freedoms ond recpensibiiies substantial” restucturing of in housing, education and the London-wide bodies and e local “authorty finance. strengthening of the ALA, Un Nowhere ae the damaging ei. forunately, some Labour feels ef “dependence” on Groups may see London wide Sccaism seer” more clearly bodies as on optional extra of Tin in” some’ of cur" net the'kind thot can easly be sh Stes.” 0 a they dock any fight to inst this background of defend. jobs and "services intetal ond extemal stizcke, Such parochialem must. be the Borough leaders and thew strongly resisted Gleupe have stared adebate Labour Counciis should be Gn the future of London wide launching » massive campaign Bodies such as the Associe- against the governments

legislative propoats. Todo that the London Left needs some tind of collective identity. If of a redeployment agrosment wwe are fo have any kind of negotiated. with the trades Gross-London. stistegic p- unions. ‘There must be an proach W le essential that the overall strategic approach to Tondon-wide bodies continue the reorganisation not em insome form ire balding and the pleadin

The choos of GLC sbolkion St special comes. left London with e confusing Above all those of us invol myriad” of joint boards and ed inlocal government 23 pa. Units, Thee ombined with s fy activists ond members must third. Thatcher term means ensute thet all decisions. are that it emeceseary to consider made in the open shd not cab serious reorganisation. Sled’ together” by. Borough

ifthis debate sto ke place leaders otound a private table

ina cofstructive fashion it ‘must take place in the context

Margaret Hodge: how times change.

Briefing starts the fightback!

More than 50 local government activists attended a Briefing meeting on June 27th to discuss the new Tory plans for local government. The meeting, which

‘gamut of Tory plans for local government. Jo Fawkes, from Camden NALGO, and Cllr Greg Tucker from Lambeth, both spoke of the need for a united campaign ‘of defiance against the Tory plans from the workforce. the local community. local CLPs, unions and Councils, ‘and opposed the limp surrender proposed by the Council leaders in the ALA. The following statement was agreed at the meeting and signatories are sought from wade union and CLP activists, Councillors and others.

The new Tory government plans a barrage of attacks on. local authorities: ‘®2.“community charge’’ (poll tax) to replace rates, which will drastically hit the less well off ‘© Privatisation of six areas of local services, leading to job loss and service deterioration. '® Forcing local authorities to hand over estates to new landlords or trusts. ‘Ending local authority subsidies to council rents, leading to huge rent rises. ‘@Allowing local authorities to opt out of the ILEA, undermining @ democraticslly-elected London-wide authority. ‘@ Allowing local schools to opt out of LEA control, thus introducing selection by the back door. ‘®Ending contract compliance conditions by local authorities, thus undermining equal opportunities and progressive service conditions policies ‘@Curbing local authorities’ power to publicise their policies and criticise the government.

sstablishing more Urban Development Corporations {UDCs) thereby taking away local authority democracy and accountability. ‘@ Continuing the financial squeeze on local government through curbing so-called creative accountancy

‘Taken as @ whole they represent an ever more serious attack on local democracy. jobs, services, and living standards than the previous Thatcher years,

No strategy can’ successfully oppose these !ory plang unless it unites all those who will lose out under {hese plans — the workforce in local government, the local community, the voluntary sector, the unions, Labour Parties, tenants, teachers and parents — and mobilises them in a fight against the Tories.

‘Any strategy which attempts to put one sector under attack against another — defending services is more important than jobs, jobs are more important than tenants, etc. — will undermine the defence of local government against the Tory onslaught. Nor can the Fesponse be organised solely on 2 local basis, each at their own pace — itis vital that every borough prepares how @ unified campaign with other boroughs. Such a ‘campaign should:

‘@ Fight Tory attacks on local government and mount 8

propaganda campaign to explain the achievements of Labour in local government.

‘@Demand more money for local jobs and services under democratic control,

‘© Oppose job losses, vacancy freezes, or slowdowns in recruitment.

‘Oppose cuts or deterioration in services or service. delivery.

‘Oppose attacks on local living standards through rent ‘® Mount an offensive campaign opposing privatisation, and calling for democratic contra} of all local services, @ Oppose the break up of the ILEA and call for the democratic control of all publiclyused services, whether currently controlled by local authorities, quangos, development corporations, or other bodies.

The left should argue within each borough and across London for a broad based campaign involving all those under threat — the community, workforce, the Party and unions, Couneil, voluntary sector, tenants — to establish the real social needs of the borough and the resources needed to meet them. Such a campaign should mobilise the maximum support for the defence of jobs, services, and local living standards and their expansion through additional government money, and against the range of other government attacks on local government. Propaganda must be prepared around the eed for democratic control and accountability of local Services, against the poll tax and the financial squeeze on local government, to prepare for whichever attack is phased in first by the Tories.

The left will start this campaign as a minority in each borough and in each union. But across London as a whole there will be considerable support for this fighting approach and against caving into the Tories. ‘The left must seek every tactical opportunity locally and across London to express the full extent of its support It should use all pan-London levers such as the ALA, London Bridge, LVSC, ILTA, London Region Labour Party as wel! as local Labour Groups, Labour Parties and. unions to build support for a fighting strategy.

Please add my ame to the Briefing statement on defending local government:

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Please return this slip to Labour Briefing, PO Box 457, London SW2 SUZ.