London Labour Briefing no. 90

THE ONLY ANSWER TO LONDON’S CRISIS

RESISTANCE!

“London has the highest poverty levels in the country. Homelessness increases daily. Our health service is crumbling. Firet ighters jobs are being cut. Not sat 1d with closing the GLC, the Tories are now going for ILEA and are forcing local Councils to make swingeing cuts in jobs and services.”

That was the first and grim part of the message delivered by an array of London Labour Councillors at a press conference held at Conway Hall on March 3rd. The second and more positive part of the message was that “Labour Councils should stop doing the Tories’ dirty work and start to fight back.”

By MIKE MARQUSEE Haringey Labour Briefing

Buoyed by resistance to NHS cuts, left Councillors from Brent, Camden, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark and elsewhere called on “the whole labour movement to go on the offensive to demand the money to meet the needs of Londoners”.

In voting against cuts in jobs and services, Ironically, some of those Councils keenest to Manifestoes,”” said the Councillors Against the ‘even in defiance of local Labour Whips, the stay on the friendly side of the law are now failing Cuts, who were present in force on London's

Successful lobby against Southwark Council's threat t0 close nurseries m Bermondsey

Councillors were only expressing a groundswell _to meet their statutory obligations because of the March 8th Day of Action.

of outrage in the communities they represent. cuts. Of the three hundred children registered “We will work with all those prepared to fight Councillors told of the mounting absurdities Haringey as potentially vulnerable to abuse, over _against cuts in jobs and services,” they promised,

and dangers facing Labour Councils making ever- one hundred have not been allocated a social © “whoever makes them.”

deeper cuts worker. Whe ~aken to court by the local NALGO In contrast to the inertia of the Greater London “power of local p ; Branch, instead of pointing an accusing finger at Labour Party illustrated in its _dismally forced to closet themselves away from an angry the government, the right wing Chair of So unproductive Annual Conference at the begi

public, using security forces and police to keep _ Services sought simply to deny the of March}, the stand taken by Councillors Against

of a dynamic ndon’s profound

the working class at a safe distance. Many now “Rather than launching attacks on those the Cuts symbolises the po: find themselves facing legal actions initiated by prepared to fight, Council leaders should resign if labour movement response to their own trade unions. they are not prepared to stand by their crisis.

LASOUR— TAKE THE POWER

London Labour Briefing No. 90 March 9th-22nd 1988 page 2

DHSS take action

Strike spreads »

as staff

resist cuts

‘On December 21st last year, staff at Camden A Unemployment Benefit Offic walked out on indefinite strike over management's decision that the office was “overstaffed”” and that five staff would be compulsorily transferred to Jobshops. A further five staff were expected to be moved in January.

This was opposed by the staff, who falt that as there was a backlog of work, 90 eduction in staffing should be made

Compulsory transfers of staff also represented 2 fun: damontal change in the work ing conditions of “on: mobile” civil servants Therefore, the sthkers demanded no stalf reductions fang only voluntary transfers

‘At jobcentres, casual staff ‘wore sacked by management, Who felt that they could be feplaced by tansterred staff from UBOs

"At a fei'y early stage in the strike. the local DHSS offices were approached and asked not t@ 0 scab work and to refuse to make payments in the place of those offices out fon strike.

‘After three weeks of this management issued throats of Suspension at four DHSS of fices, which have since wale d-out

‘The strike has now spread to some 20 jobcentres and

By Chris Moran DHSS London North CPSA Deputy Secretary (personal capacity)

UBOs, and to five DHSS OF fices, with mote expected to jain the strike

‘A motion was carried at 2 masting of strikers which cal ed for further offices to be pulled out anda campaign mounted for all London OF fises to take indefinite strike action. However, John Me Creadie and hws supporters on the NEC appear 10. prefer gestures suchas one-day Strikes in the Department of Employment 10 all out stoppages

The government clearly seae this as 8 trial of strength ‘with the unions. I intends to push through staff cuts and Privatisation. throughout the Be and DHSS.

The decision to threaten staff in the OHSS was taken Ministerial level. Also, the alacrity. with which EmergenGy Payment centres wore sat Ub and the taking on of 30 ‘agency cashier at Euston Of fice shows a clear determing ‘on on the part of the gover-

nent to fight this dispute out fas they clearly believe the politcal stakes are high,

Messages of support and donations to: CPSA, clo 7. Fowler House, South Grove. London N15 SQ, with che: ques” payable ‘to CPSA Fighting” Fund (marked NW London UBOs on back)

Library occupation against cuts

Fifty angry people ocSt Pancras

showing those inside haut ing up supplies with a bucket and rope from supporters outside,

With the support of library staff, and despite management threats, several new people were smuggled in to reinforce the action.

Management finally evicted the occupiers after four days of fear that the action would escalate

was about to close for on

the last time February 20th — a tim of Camden’s cuts. ‘The Reference Library is heavily used by students, particularly from the Thit World, as well as by many unemployed people. Its facilities amount to the

nearest thing to an Despite the near Unemployed Center in the unanimous support of over south of the Borough. 60 library staff in the ‘The occupiers were fac- building, no complemen:

ed with @ bullying and frightened management feaction. The Children’s and. Lending Libraries in the same building were ment — were able to in. ‘closed to the public under timidate with crude threats Council Leader Dykes” Which veiled their own orders, complete isolation

‘Cross Labour Par

tary industrial action was forthcoming. Library management in an almost strike free depart

By Dave Bangs Kings’s Cross LP

Occupiers were escorted to and from the toilets, anc were locked in to the first

floor, Most of the lights were tured off and management threatened

them with personal liability

for all expenses incurred. clearer_ant Despite this the occupa- at its mass m

tion won extensive media

coverage, « ‘scenes

place

Camden round-up

11 Labour

We were expelled because we believe. that Camden Labour Council should abide by the Manifeste on ‘which it was elected.

Since June 1987 Camden Labour Group have argued that we should stay ia office land make cuts.

This has led to massive cots of betwoen 20% snd 406 across Council services, and swingeing fats in grants 10 the Voluntary ‘Scie shich have Jed t0 com pulory” redundancies. The Eouncl bas adopted a racket policy towards homeless ich eople to cut the Bed and Breakfast bil

‘They have adopted an industrial elations approach thick Rupert Mudoch would be proud of. They have threatened fo sack any NALGO ‘member ‘sho refuses 10 sign a new com {tact of employment (which im dudes compulsory redeploy tment) rather than negotiate with te wai ag

Statement by Camden Manifesto Councillors

‘On top of this Camden Labour Group have pat_u ‘Coonell rents by between £3.50 and £4.80 per week while at the Same time Teducing the number OF repairs and slashing Fate Management. All of this has ‘been done to balance the books.

For these reasons, we believe thac Camden Council has aban- <doned any commitment to resist the further attacks on local ‘government which the Tories 4re about to unleash. Instead of insisting that the Tories pay back the money they have stolen from the people of Camden an Rate Support Grant, and cam paigning with those who wish 10 Fesist this Tory Government, the Present Labour Council “has ‘Gesided to sacrifice the interests (Of its own working class com- ‘munities to stay in office.

We donot accept that ‘Camden Labour Councillors have the sight to reject the cea. tral mandate on which we were lected. The manifesto Labour Councillocs have consistently ‘argucd that the people of ‘Camden aad its workforce have the right to be consulted on such an important reversal of policy

‘We believe that this is why we have been expelled from the Labour group. It is an attempt

changes at full Council meetings is when they are raised by the Manifesto Councillors. Time ‘after time the Labour Group have attempted (0 g0 straight 10 the vote without any debate at al

‘We will not be silenced. We ‘will continue, alongside other Labour Councillors in London land elsewhere, 9 pose an alter Bate alia Satcsy — one

‘The Manifesto Councillors have never argued for resign tion of giving over conirol to the Tories. We are not prepared 10 advocate capitulation and surTender, We believe it is crucial {o retain control on the basis of socialist principles, rather than implementing Tory policy

‘We want to Say in office in ‘order to fight Thatcherism and Temain Labour Councillors for as long as we can contribute 10

‘Surgale on the side of the

lass we seck to represent

‘Our allegiance, as Labour ‘Councilors and as socialists, is to those people on the sharp end. ‘of Thatcher's policies, whether they are imposed by a Labour or Tory Council

Since June 1987 the Manifesto Councilors have debate about these policy spoken at dozens of meetings SLE AE SRT TE

Model Resolution

Please put this resolution to your trade union, Labour Party ward or section, GC, LGC and Group. This notes with grave concern the decision of Camden Labour Group to. withdraw the Whip from eleven Labour Councillors. These Councillors have been expelled form their Labour Group in order to silence | their opposition to cuts in jobs and services. |

The eleven represent a strong current of opinion within the Labour Party and the trade union movement who are opposed to’ Labour-controlled Authorities cartying out Tory cuts and are instead attempting to build’ resistance to Tory attacks on working class communities in the inner cities and local democracy.

We call upon Camden Labour Group to immediately reinstate the eleven, recognising that they represent a timate position which is shared by many of us in the labour movement and should not be witch-hunted for

enting this view. Instead, the labour movement

‘commitment to notions of 3c- ‘countability and democracy. The only time there is. any

should be. holding widespread “ with its members and communities on how sght present Tory attacks and the many which

== to come on working Class communities, Pease send copses to: Richard Sumray, Secretary Room. Camden Town Mall, Judd

Reinstate the Camden

On 12.2.8

eleven!

across Camden.The _comon Somponent of these meetings has been the willingness of Camden's workforce and ‘Camden's communities to resist Tory policy.

‘Campaigns have already been generated within the Volu Sector, within Black organisstions, Lesbian and Gay groups, Women’s Groups, Tenants Groups, Community organisa tions, and the trade unions.

We have argued that a political strategy i necessary in frder to deat with this crisis, and to resist further Tory iegislation aimed at destroying Tocal Government accoun: tability and democracy. By giv ing in now Labour Councils are simply preparing the ground for the government 10 implement the ‘selling off of Council estates, inreasing Council rents and decontroling cents in the private sector, privatisation of Council services, the removal of planning controls, the Poll Tax, the Education Bill and Clause 29 of the Local Government Ac.

The magnitude of these Tory attacks must be revogaised. We believe that Thatcher inher third term of offies is determined to smash Labour-contralled Local Authorities as part of her attacks on the working class and ‘Opprested of this country. The present policy of capitulation adopted ‘by the local and na tional leadership of the Labour Party will cut away the ground for resistance to” these Tory attacks

‘The debate on these issues is crucial for the future of the Labour Party in London, and will be mirrored across the Soutry once the ew. Tory legislation becomes faw.

Tn attempting 10 gag us the Camden Labour Group is helping to prevent this crucial debate from taking place. Instead they have chosen to create a climate of witch-bunting. Expulsions from the Labour Party ave already taken place and-more are being proposed.

‘The decision to remove the whip from IT Councillors ia Camden does not have majority support inthe Party. locally Hampstead and Higheace CLP soled against the withdraw] of the Whip an over half the bean- ‘ties in Holborn and St Pancras Opposed it, We are therefore ‘Semanding speaking rights at all, branches, both GCs and at the LGC.

We are appealing (0 the Nax tional Constitutional Commit~ tee of the Labour Panty against the withdrawal of the whip. We call on all comrades sho sup-

port accountability and Semocracy to insist that Camden Labour Group

reinstate us immediately.

‘You ean support us by passing the model resolution at your Labour Party ward, GC, LGC, ade union branch, et. If you require any further information. please contact ‘The Secretary, Caniden Labour Manifesto Councillors Defence Campaign, c/o 24 Godwin Court, London NWI INN.

‘Camden FAB is planning a joint public meeting and Street Theatre with Kentish Town FAB to publicise the

National Demo.

‘After the demo we shall be concentrating on writing

to MPs who voted for or abstained on the

Labour MPs.

il, especially

We are also planning various fundraising events —

and have been supporting all the London benefits

ike

the March 6th “Women’s Choice” concert.

‘We have leafletted

We hired a

vents such as the London

Day of Action and the NHS demo with a how NHS cuts cause late abortions.

ibus to the Stop the Clause demo in

‘Manchester and distributed leaflets calling for no return,

to back street abortions.

Camden FAB mets Tuesdays at 7pm, Kingsway Princeton College, Sidmouth Street, WC1,

@ Another

recruitment freeze;

‘@Bringing forward the target date for slashing 1,000 jobs by six months to September.

‘These are just two of the latest panic measures pushed through Lambeth Council to close the remaining budget

But service users and Council workers have been turning up in numbers to Committees t0 ensure that making cuts has not been an easy ride.

‘The Social Services Committee saw the closure of 21 Luncheon Clubs for the elderly and some nursery

schemes. Meal charges are to rise by over 60%, playgroup

charges by 40% — and ‘nursery charges are to be ‘quadrupled, For those worried that this might conflict with their principles, Chair Phyllis Dunipace "had a reassuring answer: "The increase should not be a probblem as if anyone cannot alford to pay their place can easily be filled from the waiting Despite opposition from the left Councillors the pro-

Lambeth Council

Panic measures lead to further cuts as local opposition grows

pposals went through.

tunistically supporting their demands) the meeting was arranged so tht the vote on cuts was taken without an item to fill vacancies for two ‘new tenants reps to the committee. So the cuts were agreed 8-7 with the two reps excluded.

Roughest ride for Leader Linda Bellos came at the Women's Committee. She stormed out after represen: fatives of the black com munity denounced her for having “blood on her hands”

‘The stormiest meeting so far was undoubtedly the Amenity Services Committee. Seen as a soft touch, Amenities had been target: ted for the highest cuts. Three libraries were to shut with restricted opening for the rest. The Recreation Centre was to close mornwhere they can report @ ings and a number of Counrepair without having to cil playgrounds and hunt for an unvandalised playschemes were to close phone box. permanently.

How serious the “‘con- The day of the committee sultation’* was could be seen started with 2 mass meeting when it finally came to a of Amenity workers. Pledsvote. Knowing that the te- ing opposition to the cuts, ‘ant memebrs of the com- gardeners and librarians,

itee would have a majori- arts organisers and arborists ty if they all. yoted with the united in calls for all-out acleft (with thé Tories oppor- tion across the Council to

It was not quite so easy at the Housing ~ Committee. Tenants’ reps turned up in numbers at two “consulta. tion’ meetings to argue against plans to close 12 local housing offices. As they pointed out, this would mean serious problems for the elderly and infirm and those with young children just getting to the offices, let alone coping with ‘the worsening service

By Greg Tucker Lambeth Councillor

‘Tenants do not want a return to the days of the distant office, door permanently locked and telephone unanswered. They want what they were promised, improved local offices, open at hours accessible to all,

Haringey teachers

Is this agreement a victory?

recent agrement een te ingey Techers Association (HTA} and Haringey Council which has brought an end to official strike action is seen by some members as a union victory in terms of _—_local employees’ resistance to the effect of Council cuts.

Part of a motion passed fat the general meeting of HTA read:

“The ‘Association believes that the agreement will defend members against the Impact of cuts and therefore endorses the agreement.””

It is true that there has been an agreement on the avoidance of compulsory redundancies. But what sort of victory is it?

The battle was not entirely won, There will be imits on class sizes (27 for reception and mixed age classes, 30 for other primary classes, and 27 for classes in mixed secondary schools}.

Various Haringey Coun: cil figureheads | will find space in the media to make noises about how Haringey has always had the best teacher-pupil ratio in the country.

But wor

Jing conditions

for teachers willbe worsened by the cuts as will the quality of education for Haringey’s schoolchildren — many of been won in Haringey. The whom are working class recent concessions made and from the ethnic by Haringey Council to minorities. There will be HTA prove the potential compulsory redeploymnet, strength of workers" even fewer supply _ bargaining power. teachers than at present, But what must not be and bigger class sizes lost sight of is that the

agreement could have been better by further strike action. Expectations must not be lowered with ‘such gains. The agreement anyway only involves 3 section of Haringey’s workforce.

‘The impact of cuts on Haringey’s local communi: ty is still devastating. The closure of Fairfax com: munity centre means that disabled people are being

has consistently proved itself unwilling to support its members.

The battle has not yet

By Jackie Luge Hackney Labour Briefing

"As with its members in Inner London, the NUT Action Committee hes back. ed down at a crucial time, despite the signs that Haringey Council was feeling threatened by the strike action. The Action Committee put HTA in a com-

promising situation in shunted around the. November. They offered borough; the loss of official backing for action children’s —_ playgroups

means that some children who have deaf and dumb parents will not be able to ‘mix with children who can hear and speak; less library facilities; less social ser:

vice provision.

People at the receiving end of these cuts are the most vulnerable and they have no union. A genuine fightback requires that the unions work together, not only for their members but for: all sections of the ‘community:

‘against education cuts, including reaching an agree ment over class size and cover, in return for HTA discontinuing unofficial ac tion over Baker, by abandoning its no-cover action. ‘The tradeoff of one kind of action for another was reluctantly supported, by many of us who were keen to escalate action in order to oppose Local Authority cuts. In the face of Baker's legislation and LEA cuts, the NUT Action Committee:

stop the cuts.

‘At the committee itself Council workers were joined by service users to pack out the committee room. They forced Chair Andrew

arnegie to let them address the meeting,

‘One afier another Council and voluntary sector workers, library” users and the users of Council playschemes — both hildren and their parents — came to the microphone to explain why cuts should not bbe made, hiow people of all ages would suffer, and how Labour politicians have a duty to protect the community not give in to the demands of the Tories.

‘One pensioner explained how library provision had been a major vietory for the working class when he was a child; a child explained how closing his playground woud leave no choice but to play in the streets

‘But despite these demand: ‘and despite the fact that none of the proposed cut: had ever been discussed by Labour Group — or even by the Labour members of the Committee — they were forced through, using the votes of the "ex. officic

London Labour Briefing No. 90 March 91h-22nd 1988 page 3

PHOTO: Lense Herbert

"A

be cut. All questions of col lective responsibility and ac countability hase beer To add insult to injury, ai abandoned. a Labour Group meeting As one of the Group three days later, a further leadership put it recent’ cut in the Amenities garden ‘We will tell you whal we ing service was forced choose to tell you when we through. The gardening ser- feel like it and we will vole vice is to be cut from 270 to how we choose.”” 80 staff despite a clear man- _ Labour Group may have date form the local Labour abandoned responsibility — Party that the Leadership but workers and. the comshould resign rather than cut munity are showing signs of the service. taking the threats against In their quest for a“legal them more seriously, The balanced — budget” the Labour Party remains comLabour Group has gone mitted against che cuts. The from panic measure to panic tasks now are to build on the measure, all at the expense signs of resistance thal have Of the workforce and the appeared over the last few community, To finish off weeks. the package they aim tc @Siop Press; Guess make cuts of over 25% in which committee was recall the voluntary sector. ed to meet on Saturday But despite the concern March Sth, al the time of the that these cuts will mean TUC Health Mar many redundancies, Labour Amenities was being asked Group has now decided to to make more cuts — at the leave it to the Committee time they expect the least chairs which groups should opposition

members against che wishes ofthe ordinary committee members

Haringey Fights

On Thursday February 25th the right wing Evening Standard ran a front page special on how the “hard left” had been defeated by “moderates” and Mandy Mudd ousted as Chair of Tottenham CLP.

What is the real story that lies behind this?

‘Well, Mandy Mudd did lose the Chair of the CLP — by one vote — and, after Vince Gillespie also lost the Vice Chair position, the rest of the left slate withdrew.

After long discussions we had decided chat if we couldn't gain two out of the first three of-

ficer positions we wouldn't contest the rest.

We stood on a clear Net Suet por ern collective

Withdrawal prevented the right and centre from splitting the group ‘on the grounds that some individuals on the slate. were more personally acceptable than others.

‘So was it a defeat? The answer is clearly no. In order to achieve ‘their vote the Labour Co-ordinating _Commit-

tee had to mobilise,

many people who are evident. not seen from one AGM —_Morale on the left is to another, whom they high. We have ' the

will not ‘be able to mobilise throughout the year.

But, more importantly, the LCC had to seek delegate status from their trade unions, having in the main failed to be elected from their wards.

What this means is that their tiny majority ‘on the GC at the AGM is unlikely to be repeated, and that the wards and rank and file members in the Party are now swinging away from them as their hypocrisy and posturing become more

iscipline to act as a united group and this will continue so that we can be confident that it is us who will determine policy and campaigning priorities for the constituency.

Instead of running the Party machinery we can act as an opposition on the GC. Time gained from not managing the Party structures can be used to initiate educational and campaign to help build our struggle for socialism from the base of the Party and tum the Party outwards.

Needless to say, the legal defence will cost money — and despite our best intentions fines may

A defence fund has been established to support anti-cuts comrades

arrested atthe December 10th Har “So of those. cherged ingey Local Government Craig Brewin and Mike Committee. Marqusee, are prominent

supporters of Labour Brief jing (and regular con: tributors to its pages!,

‘The two others, Carmen Curran and Cath Hassle,

Four people go on trial ‘on April 5th facing charges of disorderly conduct. One ‘of them, Councillor Craig,

Brewin, also faces 2 are building workers charge of assaulting the employed by Haringey police. Council's Public Works The arrests occurred Service, and __active when local police aided members of the PW's

Bnd abetted by local right Women Workers Group.

wing Labour Party hacks, We need your help! attacked anti-cuts pro. Please send donations to testors inside Haringey’s Haringey Fights Back Civic Centre. Defence Fund, cio Peter All four have denied all Doble, 27 White Hart the charges and will be Lane, London N22, or call vigorously contesting thet 01 888 3421 for more case: inforiviation:

London Labour Briefing No, 90 March 9th-22nd 1988 page 4

Camden must be

stopped!

Is there no limit to the collabortion of London Labour Leaders with the property market’s plans

for inner London? Late last year, John Mills — the Vice Chair of the = wrote (0:the ALA

city regeneration”.

There was no hesitation From Leaders in Camden to take up the offer. Mills” “organisation is “to give adViee to the Council” in the use of their only real power — planning control — to negotiate “planning gain’ with the developers of the Kings’ Cross/St_ Pancras site

you in various new ways of both improving the social and physical conditions in As reported in LLB no. your borough(s), and also of 87, the 130-acre site is the providing your Council(s) largest development site in with substantial additional central London up for funds either in the form of — redevlopment, Once British capital of revenue... The Rail and the area's other lan

sums involved can be large downers have chosen a enough {0 make major in- developer, negotiations with roads into the deficits which Mills’ organisation on

many boroughs in London behalf of Camden Council, are currently facing.” will begin in earnest. (AS (Mills was sacked by the planning authority, the

Department of Environment (DoE) last December after revelations concerning his criminal past came to light — see LLB no. 86.)

John Mills went on to outline his “qualifications”

Council have the power to turn_the application down By John Turkie Hackney North & Stoke Newington CLP

for making the approach: Tan, “1g years as a (Labour) ~The favourites to get the member of Camden Coun- landowners” blessing,

Roschaugh Stanhope, are well known to Mills. AS Vice Chair of the LDDC, Mills stitched up the “historic deal” between the LDDC and Newham Council over the redevelopment of the ‘750-acre Royal Docks area, involving at least three development consortia. Rosehaugh are redeveloping the Royal Albert Dock site.

‘Though a Camden leadership clique has been meeting

cil... two years as Deputy Chairman of the LDDC. (which) is transforming the prospects for East London... To make available to Labour boroughs the expertise which has been built up in Docklands, so that it can be used by’ normal local authorities (sic), [ and other people are establishing a new organisation.

The “other people” include John Marlow, who

was, until recently, the with developers and lanDirector of Finance in downers for about a year, Camden, there has not been a single

The letter was circulated to all Leaders, Chairs of Planning, and’ Chief Executives of ALA boroughs, at the request of ALA Pian’ ning Chair, Camden Councillor John Wakeham. The covering note described the

report-back to the Labour Group, which is yet to discuss the redevelopment and its enormous implica: tions. In addition to Leader Tony Dykes and top OfFicers, the tiny but powerful group includes Councillors

letter as ‘‘an approach your Alan Woods, Julie Fitborough might like to con- zgerald, Satnum Gill and sider in the context of inner John Wakeham.

Finding a suitable scoundrel to replace Mills on the LDDC Board is proving difficult for the DoE (sce LLB no. 86), AS the only Labour member on the Board, Mills’ role (and Lord Mellish’s before him) was crucial He provided the essential contact with the upper echelons of the Labour Party who then encouraged Labour Councils into co-operation with the LDDC. The DoE has been considering a whole host of ex-Labour MPs and ‘Councillors. A serious approach was made to Alf Dubbs, who lost Battersea at the last election, After Dubbs put forward certain conditions for acceptance, the DoE decided not to offer him the post.

‘@ Greenwich Council and British Gas have agreed (0 draw up a joint planning brief for a massive ‘new town’’ on the banks of the Thames. The 240-acre site, ‘occupying most of the Blackwall peninsula, is the largest riverside site remaining in London. It used to be the largest gas works in Europe. Most of the plant has been demolished but facilities for natural gas remain. British Gas owns most of the land and the remainder is owned by the Council, which is also the planning authority. A single developer or consortium will be chosen soon. No doubt John Mills.will hope to be taken on then as a consultant for the Council in its negotiations with the developers.

ELAINE MORGAN \Author of The Descent ‘of Woman and The Aquatic Ape) will be speaking on

at 30 Camden St, NW1 {back entrance, St Pancras Community Centre)

Tuesday March 29th 6.30pm - All-welcome!-- ~~-|

WOMEN’S: EVOLUTION ____.-__-

collaborators

New racist

charter exposed

On Friday March 4th ‘over 100 community presentatives and interested individuals attended a seminar at Hackney Town Hall on the racial implications of the government's proposed Housing Bill — likely to become law in July.

‘Anger was expressed at the lack of influence of ing policy at national and local levels. Hackney was criticised for the racist nature of its allocations

By JIM THAIN

evitably rise.

The concept of Housing Action Trusts provoked particular outrage as these will not be subject to Section 71 of the Race Rela. tions Act, whereby Local Authorities are obliged to promote equal opportunities.

As Sections 17 and 18 of the local government Bill will constrain Local Authority spending on race relations, such public sector support as exists for

policy. whereby working ethnic minorities wil be class blacks have been reduced. An increase in “dumped" on unpopular racial violence will in-

estates. evitably follow.

‘The proposed legislation Sadly Hackney's Direcwill affect all Council torate of Housing (which tenants, as rents will called the meeting) declin-

rocket, tenancies become less secure, and services deteriorate. Evictions will homelessness w

ed to offer a lead or even respond to the repeated calls for mass demonstra- ~and--tiens- and direct action in- against the government.

ot zwhether ‘people hve,

Benn attacks Leadership

Over 150 people attended an NHS Broad Left meeting in Greenwich where the Tories have already closed three hospitals since coming to power and have plans to close yet another. ‘The dispute in the NHS has shown the ineffectiveness of the Labour Leadership, where only four members of the NEC supported the action on February 3rd compared with 60% of Tory voters.

Tony Benn openly at tacked the Leadership for taking a defensive position in relation to the NHS. He called on the leadership to demand elected Local Health Authorities, an i crease in preventative medicine, reallocation of money currently spent on defence and the requisitioning of private health clinics to reduce the waiting lists, irrespective

By Dave Lee Woolwich LP

surance or not.

Benn spoke on the need to unify the current wave of disputes into a single political struggle against the Tories. The NHS. dispute is @ political struggle to defend the gains of working people in the postwar period and should therefore receive the total support of the whole labour movement.

Tony Benn, however, re: mained silent on whether oF not he would run for the Party leadership, despite calls for him to stand as the best way to unify the wave of disputes.

The platform also included two NHS stewards and 2 local Councillar opposed to the cuts being undertaken by Greenwich Council, Many NHS stewards spoke of the need to broaden the support and to link up with local Council workers to, build, a, broad , left'in Greenwich.

paid for private health in-