London Labour Briefing no. 81

i : : 5

‘PHOTO:

— NO END!

Health workers and community campaigners in Tower Hamlets took to the streets in early October to protest against a package of devastating cuts in their services and won an important victory.

The Health Authority has been lurching from crisis to crisis for the past eighteen months, strangled by the Tories’ determined efforts to wreck the NHS through the underfunding of vital services. Like many other inner London Health Authorities it was saved from mak. ing drastic cuts in the Spring by the £1 million handout given by the Tories just before the June general election.

Doctors, nurses and other staff were presented with a paper drawn up by the District General Manager outlining £1.5 million pounds worth of “temporary” ‘cuts. Among the cuts proposed was the closure of the

By Andrea Campbell Wa rep, Tower Hamlets DHA

Accident and Emergency Department at Mile End

Hospital which treats over 30,000 cases each year

Unlike the neighbouring Whitechapel Hospital, Mile

End is seen as the “local hospital”

Opposition to the cuts package came from con sultants, the Medical College, Physiotherapists, the CHC, workers, local residents. Even some Unit General Managers were quietly opposed to them.

We felt that management had deliberately held hack publication of the paper until the last possible moment hoping that there would be no time to mobilise 2 coherent opposition. They were proved embarrassingly wrong.

Workers at Mile End immediately organised for 2 march and lobby to the Health Authority meeting on Thursday, October 8th. DHA members opposing the

cuts lobbied as many other members as they could, London Health Emergency helped contact the press, television and radio. Tower Hamlets Health Camy organised production and distribution of leaflets, placards and banners for the march. A joint strategy was worked out to try to get the DHA to reject the cuts package.

The march assembled at Mile End Hospital and wi only two days notice. 1,000 people turned out — doc: tors, nurses, physios, clerical workers, cleaners, porters, medical students and people who live locally marched the mile to Whitechapel banging bedpans and chanting ‘Mile End — No End’’. A delegation of five people met the DHA Cl Manager (the architects of the cuts) before the meeting, with alist of objections to the cuts and a p tion of 4,500 signatures opposing the cuts.

(Continued on beck page!

: London Labour Briefing No. 81 Oct I4th-27th 1987 page 2

PHOTO: Maureen White

‘Lobby outside Hackney Town Hall

Leadership fails at first hurdle

‘An invasion by squat ters, angry at “savings” already made by the Council at their ex. prevented

By Carol Young Secretary, Hackney

(personal capacity)

0 fact, place on Saturday 26th face September.

The “‘savings” included such measures as arbitrary eviction of squatters and Feducing housing rights of those in Bed & Breakfast; ive. attacks on the most reedy and vulnerable.

The Conference, reconvened two days later

Despite past creative accounting, and the cuts slready made (e.g. vacancy freezes, housing, etc. Hackney Council faces -£9m deficit this year and £43m next year

The Teadesthip's response was to present 8

‘of political

amidst much

teeth and

beating of breasts with the on following familiar concrete mitments,

'@Savings through im proved efficiency measues to the tune of £20m.

@Greater “flexibilty’* of the workforce. a

‘®Staff redeployment where necessary.

The leadership assured us that the unions sup- — this is porte their position. In beginning

against the report.

fight. —

cannot remain

‘What

manifesto

paper _ saying

only

No leader, no strategy

Following weeks of protest at the £5m cuts involving a staff freeze, cuts of £2m in discretionary awards, closures of aurseries and old people's homes, and a host of reductions in services, Merle Amory has resigned as Leader of Brent Counc

Whilst right wingers scrabble for the leadership, seeking to outdo each other

next Couneil meeting series of

to public

launched to create 2 perma. nent structure for strike ac tion and other mobilisations

‘Supported by Brent _Plying with Tory pressure to ALGO, and “by ‘shop cut jobs and services

North Women’s Section

a NALGO Branch meeting had voted to oppose alll cuts with industrial action if necessary, and the union delegates at the Borough Conference voted

The leadership promised ‘again that despite this round of cuts they would when the time came — selling off Council Housing, and privatisation. ‘The leadership report stated that they would Ce alge g. resigning or fighting back, if “as socialists we in office without abandoning fundamental principles.” fundamental socialist principles remain when we are going back

attacking working class, and making the Tory cuts for them? ‘@PS: At Labour Group on Tuesday 6th October the Director of Finance put

measures adopted by the ABC would not be suffi cient to breach the deficit

stewards in GMB, TGWU ‘AEU, and the NUT, the first faim of the campaign is to mobilise for a strike and rally on November 11th,

public tocztngs tas been Organised ing trade unionists in the | Borough and to be addressed by Ken Livingstone MP and Martha Osamor from Haringey Fights Back!

a in promises of further cuts, a Amongst the | Labou community, trade union and Group, 12 Councillors are Labour Party campaign refusing to vote for any cuts

Brent Fight Back has been in jobs or services.

Briefing meets as we 20 t0 | press to decide a strategy for | standing a leadership can

didate who will oppose com

. Local government round-up

witch-hunt!

1 Party's Local Government ‘ommittee and rejected

‘was clear thatthe proposals were drawn up in alliance with the LOC. As well asthe recru tment freeze, always part of the Leadership ‘proposals, for the first time they put a figure to a reot increase £2.50 a week) and insigaed a major review of

ounell services, supposedly to

‘cut out the dead wood” — the key demand the right had beea making.

“The niceties of the Party consultation went over the head of Labour Group. Claiming that

juorate” GC ‘and Vauxhall's “principle of a Tegal, balanced budget" were ‘dear mandate to do. whatever was necessary, Group agreed Linda's proposals 25-13, even

Having forced through cuts in Lambeth, Council Leader Linda Bellos has launched 2 witeh-hunt against those councillors who oppose her strategy.

Lambeth's Labour Group hhas agreed a package of cuts which include an immediate recruitment freeze aimed at doubling the vacancy level to over 2,000, 2 £2.50 a week increase in rent from next April and a major review of all Council services aimed at making “economies

And now it is being proposed to remove from office all those Chairs and Group

officers who oppose this tnowen fartdoncally they sll strategy leave the Counc £30 milion Tambam's Borough Con: thor of 4 lpal Budget next

ference at the beginning of September oxerwbelmiagly te- Grou jected. the stratezy of comPliance "with government ‘Gemands put forward by Linda Bellos. and instead called for @ fing strategy of No Cuts, ‘Norwood GC agreed the fighting strategs with only four aainst, Streatham GC had ools twenty people present and sould hate Been inguorate had they not aireads suspended ‘Standing Orders. It voted for a ‘cuts package put forward bs the

1 would appear, that Group is praying for 2 miracle, for else further cuts will have 10 be made,

By Sharon Brown Lambeth Fightback

Carrying on the banle of the previous surcharged councillors Rrno longer on the ageanda — but as Cllr Joan Tuches told a packed ralle called bs the Coun

LCC, which differed from Sl_unions before the Group Linda's. The third GC, Vaux meeting, “every candidate said hull, rejected an amendment on at their selection "Yes, we are

thelines of the LCC. but agreed prepared 10 be surcharged.” If bby one vote the principle of ct thes. dide’'t understand that ting a legal, balanced budeet. then. thes are pot fit to run the ‘Whilst Vaushall's tore was Council now undoubtedly a defeat for the ° Of course, Briefing supJef, and represented 2 change. porters hate no! been felsing on icy going back seven Councillors wicking to their ‘Souldhardh becalleds mandates. From the Borough Conference Lambeth Fighrback Campaign’ was launehgd which fas been meeting on a ‘weekly basic 10 plan the broadest possible op: postion 10 Cuts. We will be working

Pars: wards had fighting srategs. wi of wards supporting the LCC fand Linda's siratees coming

in the

‘poor third — Parts to ensure that. Labour pened at ‘Group has to pas the maximum Conference

‘At thi poin wall seen Linda's det

be fighting over every dot and comma the Leadership propose.

We will ako be organising the widespread public opputsition 10 the Cuts,

‘The first expression of this twin fight was at Vauxhall Go The GC unanimously agrved 16 call on Group not to implement the proposed culs until the details have been the subject of proper consultation. Exen those ‘sho had previously voted for 3 balanced "budget were ot prepared to accept the reality of Tinda’s act

expression of the olher side of fur’ strategy. The Councils Policy. and Resoutees Commit= tee met to pushahrough the proposed cuts.

Having refused the call trem Vauxhall “to postpone he meeting it took place under Siege conditions. large oh. organised through Lambeth Fightback packed the Couns Chamber galleries anda the reeting pot underaay subjected ‘OF whistles.” Nothing could be heard

rearranged right mos ‘9 another 100 This time the public were 10 be excluded. Doors were. chained Shut so that the protestors sould pot get in, and members of the Commitee sere not allowed to pet out — even when the fire Blarms went off? ‘Aid pandemonium the cuts

were put sraight 10 the sote ssithout ans devale, Ay one reporter pul @ afterwards. “it wa jut like being at

Wesiminsier Council meetings = it's the sort af action we es pect from the Tories.” Tanibeth Fishback soc this as only the fist skirmish ina Tong var. If the Labour Group seams 10 make ate thes wil have to-do it against the opposi tion of the Council sarklorce

tnd the community In response 10 the PAR com:

mittee Norwood GC Sracied its councilor Special Council meeting

he decision, Thay Counc ting will have t6 be within ‘eal shege Weeks and its not jed Out that tactical van bs the Tories mas

Haringey

Cuts! And now a

at Aeant for the time being

What i the response of

1 abou Group 19" Atay lest meeting ddchated in emergency motion Tra Linda Bellos 10 remove Councillors opposed. t0 cuts Front any office they hold

‘She declined to answer quession ay to why she wanted the Councilors removed and would not say whieh Standing Orders she thought they might have broken, It was left to her supporters from the right to explain. What they objected 10 teas the Councillors organi ‘opposition in the Party. Puting forward an alternative strategy would scem to be a crime.

TH was Tefl to Dave Morgan, the: Deputy ‘Leader (who only wanted 10 see some of the Fightback Couneillors removed) fo point out that hat was Being proposed was a witch-hunt. To the exasperation of the. Fight

‘this caused confusion

Ys close sup. ‘who quickly had 10 ‘Saucus outside.

‘Alter mach (o-ing and fro-ing beeen the different camps and discussions about whether 0, four or eight Councillors should be removed from office, Linda Finally stood up and asked that the resolution le on the table tamil the Parts has bad a chance to ‘question

usted fall 10 such levels, the right are now furious that ail cher efforts 0 stitch up deals with Linda came to nothing. AS one put it, “how can you trust her when she changes her mind every fifteen

Whatever the machinations inside the ‘Labour, Group, ‘Lambeth: Fightback" ile

building its campaign agains cuts, Events have shown that the Labour” Group will zo ils fown say. ignoring the Party i necessary” We will make the pa the price for that. But Importantly we will be building the Biggest posible mobilisation OF Party activi, Council ‘workers, the broader labour an trade union moveme

The campaign grows

On September 22nd, Haringey Council finally agreed to implement a £15 million cut in this year's budget.

The new leadership of the Council — at present an inferim. steering committee ‘known locally as the Junta)

porary workers register are ‘women or from black or other ethnic minorities

The poorest and most disadvantaged will be protected — wehy then are the centres for the elderly. and disabled being ‘closed?

BY staying in office and mak ing cuts now. we can protect ser vices from Tory privatisation —

— have begun pushing Whar pester way 10 increase through the cuts with gusto. tenants” willingness to. change The full extent of the their lendlords than a £4 ren

tance and repairs?

September 22nd, Har ngey Fights Back! bas developed both in size and in organisation. Over 600 workers e users Deseiged the Givic Centre on the night of the

culs-making Council meeting ‘The next day, at 2 NALGO branch ‘meeting of over 1,000, opposition to the curs was Tirmed and a borough-wide Gay of action agreed a5 the Fist in the unions” campaign

destruction of services which this represents is now becoming clearer to more and more people in Haringey and the voice of hortified protest is growing louder and louder

‘A £4 increase in Council

complete vacancy

freeze, the sacking of a majority of temporary staff, meals on 10 ‘wheels up from S0p to 70p, the Closure of an old people's hor and a day care centre for the step

Physically disabled, a two thirds against the cuts

Feduction in supply teachers in Meanwhile the Social Service

the next 18 months. the eats Department, with

it reads Tike along horror porary. workers mad of action, with

up the fight. Haringey NUPE and Tottenham Technical ColJege NATFHE are both to ballot fon industrial action

By Dave Palmer Haringey Labour Briefing

“The links between worke:s service users and residents arc

beginning to be forged Social Services Come

residents of the Clarence House Old People's Home and the Faiefax Day Cenire joined with Social Sersice workers int an angry protest against closure

and job losses ‘The organisation nceded to help develop a mass campaign i also developing. Haringey Fights Back!” (he campaign against cuts in jobs and services iunched ie early September ata meeting of 200 people) now has weekly’ steering. commitice Fange “of activities, including feafletting “of ali Counc of trade

Tobbies

workplaces in suppo the Borows

Zh, yposti

of all major Council meetings, land a series of neighbourhood mesg :

© organise against the cuts within the Couneil those Cour: Gillors who voted against the fuls have formed a. "Coun: cillors Against the Cuts” group, fand affiliated to. Haringey Fights Back! Similarly, a Coun cil workers Fight. Back Group has been established. by trade tinion activists within "the borough, and meets weekly 10 organise’ resistance within. the trade unions

The need to build across Lon. don is also being tackled, both through participation in’ Lon. don Fights Back and London Bridge, and by sending speakers ‘out across London to. address

Tivcryone recognises that this is gong to bea Tong, hard strug. fle, but the intial reaction both hy the worklorce and commun iy. linked to a growing reais tion of the Tull depth ofthe cuts, is beginning to make even some or those Labour “Councillors tho voted for euts think agai There is-now some. confusion within the Labour Group, Dut as yet no recognition that only bby ieht-back not cut-back can & basis be Tsid’ for saving local government at al.

London Labour Briefing No. 81 Oct 14th-27th 1987 page 3

Spotlight on Westminster

Westminster Tories blaze the housing trail

people were arrested and charged on September 22nd after a day of strike action in

‘Westminster. Over 900 NALGO members supported _ by

‘Couneit tenants took part

‘The action was taken in protest over the City Coun. Gil's policy of “designated housing sales”

Workers were joined by more than 100 tenants in a mass lobbs ‘af Westminster City Hall in the fevening. where the housing Commitice meeting was being held. twas at this meeting that the Tories ealed in the police 10

the Labour Group went 10 i tervene they were arrested as well. OF those arrested, five Labour Councillors, three NUPE activists and one tenants ‘rou activist were charged.

Tes no surprise that the peo. ple charged sere local activists. The evidence clearly suggests that the Tories engineered the ‘whole situation withthe support ff the police

First, a forged leaflet, purporting to be from a tenianis’s action group, was distributed fround one estate and the sur rounding streets on the evening before the meeting. This leaflet ‘ended by calling on tenants 10

“bring stones and brick meeting for a "riot"

By Tom Loucas Westminster NALGO

‘Secondly. there was an action plan for ihe day which the Tories sill not release. This meant 3 video ‘camera was brought into the meeting For the first time — the video 1 now in the hands of the police; police ‘were in City Hall without the consent of the Labour Group: two deliberately provocative Specches ended up with the police storming into the meeting And arresting people.

"The whole debacle came after 1 successful day of action by NALGO, who had voted for a strike ai packed branch ‘meeting only the day before.

The action closed District Housing Officers, four out of five socal services Area Offices, tight libraries and the Housing Benefits “Office. Other areas were also affected.

The most significant aspects ‘of the action were firstly i Unity between workers, the ‘Community and the Labour Par ty was achieved, whch explains the Councils heavy-handed af tempt to silence the opposition.

‘Secondly. the strike by NALGO was an overtly political fone, Although the jobs and con

ditions of housing officers are threatened by the designated sales policy, om the picket lines Sikers were talking about hhomelessness and the defence of public housing, and this was Peflested in the union's publicity

"The Council's housing policy is an overt and outrageous at tack on the poor and homeless im the borough, and this has generaicd avery strong Fesponse

The policy states, quite ex plicitly. that there are many People who live ip Westminster tho are a “social problem’ they are “marginal (0 the inner London economy", and. for their own good these “problem” people are tobe shipped out of London.

‘The Council intends to sell 40% offs 23,000 properties at = fate of S00 per year. This means that alf the-houses and fats ‘which become vacant annually will not be relet, but sold 10 those who can afford them.

instead of housing the 10,000 peogfe on the Council waiting Fist, public money will be given to. ‘private landlords and building contractors to create 2 housing market. whose. prices willbe “above “sir rents” (bout £69 per seek) but Below ‘market rents {about £200 per ‘seek) for the borough.

The idea is that Tory voter:

bee drawn into this marginal

borough, but the cost is an hor fifie escalation in the housing

‘This has national implica tions: what Westminster Tories fare proposing today will be government policy tomorrow. Their plans for public housing. have come down {rom Conset= vative Central Office, like the planned privatisation of thirteen ‘Counel services and withdrawal from ILEA.

Westminster represents. the future face of the inner cities. The Housing policy is not just ‘an issue for this borough — itis 2 fight for all of us opposed 10 the Tories’ attempts at social engineering

"The September 22nd events showed the way 10 beat the Tories: united action between workers, communities and a Labour Party prepared t0 fight.

However, these are eatly days, the Council is powerful ‘and Committed and has the sup port of the Conservative Party pationally

For those of us waging the fight, there is a teal sense of ‘eolaiion.

‘We are under a massive attack, the whole nature of local government is being threatened rnow in Westminster, and so our Story, which is central 10 deleating the Torics nationally ‘depends on the active support of the fightback across London

Cops run riot to bail out Tories

On September 22nd, a moderately boisterous meeting of /—_the Westminster City Council Housing Committee was violently broken up by the police,

Five members of the public and six Labour Councillors were arrested during protests at Council plans to sell of 9,000 Council houses to private developers.

Alter a successful rally

outside City Hall, tenants from all over Westminster and members of NALGO ‘and NUPE lined up to at tend the Housing Commit tee meeting,

Five members of the Pad dingtan Conservative Assooa tion, led by ex Councillor Greenway. were first in the

‘The police were controlling the entrance to City Hall and trade unionists and tenants were announced wien it was ecided not to open the door where people had been

waiting, but to force everyone to file past bariers where each person was individually check fed. into. the uildng’ by the ppokce. Having made sure thet the Tories got past Lnhindered. the polce were

By Steve Harris ‘Westminster NUPE. and ‘Westminster North CLP

Tenants with chilgien were kept waiting for 2 long time

while “all this checking was done. “At. this poin Lady Porter, Tory Leeder of the Councit, ned. to. sneak in

through the back door she was spotted by NUPE a NALGO unionists. She refuses ‘quickly retreated to her chauffeur driven car. not to be seen

again. for the ‘rest of the When we got into the

meeting we could see that ‘although normally provision is ‘made for at least’ 50. people with other faciities in an

Local democracy, stil vs. Whitehall

overflow room. As soon as al the seats had been filed, the doors to the public gallery weve locked from the ovtsige Cousing considerable anxiety to the alder people present ‘The meeting started with Tory Councilor Hartley issuing 2 warring that there should be Silence im the aublic gallery fwle the committee got on (with its business. But after Several” short adjournments, Hartley put into practice what ‘was later revealed to be is ac

said that if the Labour Par ‘90% its way there would be 2 massive public housebulding

‘This remark was greeted with thunderous. applause rom the puble gallery. Hartley Journment and the police came

‘storming into the gallery. They Knew who they were looking for. Of the five members of the ube srested, “Tour, were shop stewards heavily ‘involved in Westrunster Workers Against the Cuts in its fight against privatisation was sitting in a chair when two policemen came and grab bed ‘my arms saying “Well fick this one.” They wrench: fed my arms behind my back ‘and bustled me down the cor

‘dor, ali the time tying to break my arm. They pushed me into the ft and rammed my head against the if wall

3 You dor Kup

es, We ing in the police

jected 10

being

arrested arged with

‘As Council after Council ‘goes down the cuts road, 30 an organised fightback is developing in each borough:

There are now broad based Fightback ‘campaigns in Haringey, Brent, Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth and Islington and anti-cuts ‘campaigns in Camden comprising the voluntary sector and Council workers. There are plans to launch Fightback campaigns in Hackney

needy

Camden’s Labour leadership has come clean and opted for a 20% cut.

Despite rhetoric about consultation, the abandonment of manifesto com. mitments to protect jobs and Services has been pushed rough local Labour Parties.

‘Opposition to the Council is growing, with Black and women’s" organisations clearly. rejecting any cuts package.

the Council chamber, the LCC-dominated “right have gained important commitice Shai postions, notably those of Grants and Housing Manage ment. The leadership. is still Under pressure from this group to impose further reductions in expenditure

"Ata Race Committee last month, when cuts were pushed to the bottom of the agenda, a onsutation meeting demanded by Black and ethnic minority community represen tatives to discuss the impact of cuts, When finally convened, a motion "was overwhelmingly passed opposing the Council's Rrategy, condetoning the lack ‘of conslation, and calling on the Chair to vote against the leadership in Labour Group and Council meetings. The Chair of the Women’s Committee faced Similar “demands "end. similar ondemaation for going along wth reductions. In services Gispropertionately affecting

‘Although the Council stil etings to a notion of equal oppor- (nities and claims of “tackling Inequality", their real position of divide and rule. The response to Camden's homelessness crisis (1,500, households in bed ‘ and breakfast) is 2 two stage attack fn the service

‘A one-offer only policy is already in operation, as part of fan. emergenc) programme 0 reduce the hotel bil. People are being told to move into’ a flat with only a matress and Kettle Sand stand file chance of getting Fepairs done other than “health and safety"

‘Camden's Irish comunity and travellers in particular, are being scapegoated, with Leader Tony Dykes blaming iravellers in the pages of the Dolls Mail ‘Acceptances are being tightened tip, with Gareth Smyth, Chat ‘of Housing, openly accepting that legal challenges will Follow. ‘After all, this will be cheaper than aitempting to house people to whom Camden has 2 legal responsibility

iis likely that the Homeless Persons Unit will be disbanded

HTB

and Hammersmith & Fulham in the near future. London Fights Back was set up from the 200-strong London Conference against the cuts held last month. it comprises representatives from the Borough Fight Back groups, and delegates trom organisations and set organised and voluntary groups, as well as dissident Tt aims to co-ordinate nformation about the cuts oss London, develop solidarity between those opposing the cuts, and cal

London -wide initiatives against the cuts,

‘Already being planned ate:

@A London Fight Back newsleter with information bout the cuts:

‘@A lobby of the TUC called jointly with London Bridge Shoo stewards committee:

'@A day of action in the New Year including a London demonstration against the Spring to monitor the cuts

joposed in next year's ane! budgets ‘© Mootings with London MPs and trade unions t0

By Padrig Jones Camden Labour Briefing

in December, its staff redeployed, and many homeless people forced to sleep in the Streets

‘Women, Bengali people, and Irish people will be'the first in Tine for this “caring” eu

In. cynical divide and (isjrule_ ploy, the leadership, Say the alternative is a £13 8 week rent rise per Council te rant. Homeless people, voluntary organisations and NALGO fare uniting (0 oppose the proposal

‘Within the Labour Parties, the leadership has had partial success, Holborn & St Pancras General Committee was allowed 20 minutes to discuss alternative Strategies. Hampstead Highgate refused to give a blank cheque, and demanded a list of ‘conditions that Mally contradict the. limited damage strategy, calling Tor a broad-based

palgn” of resistance to the overnment. ‘Despite this spoke in the

whest the Labour Group is ted Firmly. to the rollercoaster of funning down services. Volun: {ary organisations are being told that further funding is depenent on self-imposed cuts nov This will mean compulsory redundancies.

Within the Councit itself, hope is being placed in unattrac™ tive. voluntary redundancy ‘and/or early retirees

‘All staff are 10 be offered this, but itis unlikely enough will! take it up. Redundancy Rotices are the logical conse- ‘quence. Already, painters and decorators in the Building Department are threatened with lay off. Workers are constantly being intimidated by. mangement, with threats of lock-out Supplementing the renezing of all agreements with unions. The ‘mood within NUPE — havine previously’ voted for “critical co-operation” is moving towards opposition as. attacks

Workers in Mental Handicap and Recreation services hake already taken” strike action ver "200. people joined demonstration against closure of under-Ss provision, Talk of ‘working to deflect and it cumvent. “Tors legislation” (ony Dykes) has replaced campaign.

The primary objective now is to build @ campaign against this capitulation, embracing Workers. and users, “aimed a defending both from culs and Tory legislation,

Lf

discuss the serious scale of cuts a¢:088 London.

‘You can helpt

By affiliating to London Fights Back (£10 per organisation, £10'per 1,000 members if large group) Sand by sending donations to help develop its. work

‘ey sending delegates to ite next meeting on Wednesday 11th November at Camden Town Hall at pm.

London Fights Back can be contacted by writing to: Davy Jones, London Fights Back, sto 23 Compton Terrace, London NT

London Labour Briefing No. 81 Oct 14th-27th 1987 page 4

A white elephant ; for Bloomsbur A é 2 : week. upstaging even the be made available for these mains open to question how members. of ‘the. “responsté Tory’ “Conference and atiens many of the 900 beds — it ble” pee were ini 10 chiefs. ed to design the buildin; £800,000 of special trust authority members alike ‘Their sudden anmounce- «hich is unlikely to come ir fund cash refurbishing the were completely taken in by 100-bed —£100m teaching Meanwhile Bloomsbury — University College Hospital. scheme was waved through Ron must win a prizefor boasts the longest waiting by 12 votes to 2, while radio: fiversionary tactic since jis; in the country — almost Boyar giqc,SSSCSC~*~*~*CS ews papper hacks rushed Dr Goebbels gave up 15,000 ar the last count, Not BY John Lister off to celebrate a ‘change General Practice. one of the patients on the from cuts’’ in London's ~ 2 ee A closer look at the preseot waiting list would To prevent any informed NHS.

{Continued from front pagel Jans shows thatthe benefit from this scheme, comment detracting. from ‘After this Lord Mayor's The proposed cuts were described by the General other hospital in the district, designed 10 cut £14m from nouncement, and maximise cart: though the 900-bed he lives outside Tower Hamlets — as “‘as balanc- 1,300 acute beds and mer; by 1994. through a bemused authori: light of day for 10 years, the ed a package as possible."” ing the Middlesex at Indeed the initiative for ty. meeting Bloomsbury run-down, closure and asset seer ugcmlets, children, grew. It was clear that he” " Needless 10 say, the plan morethana hint that private really so good, what harm paigners'im_@ real fight

health, it would also severely at. With the feelings of almost

fect the proposals for deal. 2l_ the |. Districts ing Sensitively with child Was put to reject the cuts package by local GP Tony

earn <= depend on double-entry

ndnather proposal was ihe described himast as 3 fhe closing of an evening iocat resident {he lives in

which has the highest in. one bet te tha has the highest tea merchant who. chaws ? zi

cidence of overcrowding, {82 Tarcnar We es

and deprvation in 1 Paul fon and ia wrung it campaign

women affected woul victory has given us 'S ington are one of the Sesire Pater ee Kensington CLP made a statement and of an alliance of health

have been fromthe Bengali iong'hard. battle. aganat | ast, OEP = - fered sympathy. Workers, Labour Party if cuts in Tower Hamlets, but Pg se agers agen But where were the members, community Pe hater laches pathetic doctors have unemployment bere is high. with the need for more doc hians to mobilise the But we restricted ourselves

be admitted for kidney jousing problems acute and tors, more nurses, more an * kidney Chow that itis important housing problems acute ang 5 workforce and community, to petitions, public meetings

for bore, menow Naw impossible the odds oe tom the Wekway, “"Any'yt the Authority ue tcatened hospitals The Now, people ae asking transplonts and 108 acute S80™, Our victory has tye busy elevated motorway the ensuing £100,000 overs- E"Sor"oq'the leadership's for more direct action hi that these tery pie Authorities = boost i So gi oh

| “SS Authority has dema Di's children were

from

principles of double entry book-keepin

Labour Party Conference Department has just finished. With the But as a recent controver- re-election of the Tories, sial report reveals, the St Labour needs more than ‘Charles casualty ever a clear, fighting is essential to meet the needs response. of West London. When the "At the Conference debate Hammersmith causalty unit on Health the composite

had to close recently for resolutions deplored the cuts