London Labour Briefing (tabloid), pilot issue

a eRe fe) . # t

W@ The State of Emergency in South Afi | demands urgent action from us to expose 'Britain’s collaboration with apartheid and express our solidarity with the South African "people. The Non-Stop Picket which was launched by 1500 people on 19th April and is pledged to continue until Nelson Mandela is leased, has become a focus for such action med at the symbol of apartheid — the racist embassy in Trafalgar Square. Thousands of people have already joined the picket, but it is ital that it continues to be supported and " strengthened.

The Picket goes on for 24 hours every day, ‘but on every weekday from 1-2pm and 5-7pm there is a special rally meeting on the picket. ‘Wednesdays are specially for women, and

AIPIAIRITIHIE|I|D|!

Picket the embassy!

NG

iE POWER!

‘Tuesday evenings for lesbians and gay men.

Saturday afternoon is chi ‘Sundays there is often a big rally,

ren’s hour and on

‘Come to the picket regularly and bring your friends, and delegations from your Labour Party, trade union, etc.

Take leaflets, posters, petition forms. Collect money for the pi being sent to political acti families of political prisoners in South Africa, as well as being used for leaflets, etc. Send the picket food, messages and tokens

of support. Sponsor the picket and invite a speaker to address your Labour Party and trade union.

SMASH APARTHEID! SOLIDARITY WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN

PEOPLE:

ouncillors Kate Allen, Steve Bevington, Angela il, Sandra Plummer, Graham Shurety.

article which appeared in last month's London our Briefing outlining recent developments in mden is substantially correct. The control of the bour Group has been hijacked by a small majority of ouncillors who have formed a Centre/Right Alliance, id who have quite deliberately rejected the cleat date of the Party in appointing themselves into al positions of authority on the new Council. However appalling as their

behaviour has been, the ity. for the Left in Camden is not as depressing ss first appearances might

gest

“To begin with, the Alliance ween the Centre and the fight was not put together on he basis of common policies id an agreed strategy, it was formed purely in order to prevent the Left from taking Sontrol of the Council. From Right’s point of view, it ‘as simple ideological

this vacuum, t0_ develop policies and to put forward a Strategy that will actually force the implementation of the Manifesto. And it is on the basis of this promise that we must organise for the Tuture in Camden, Widen the Franchise

The starting point of such programme must be 9 widening Df the franchise: the fll involve-

‘ment of both the Party and the Wider labour movement in the

joathing of all things development of polices and jocialist, but from the strap: Central tothis objective Sentte’s’ perspective, the is the’ accountability ofthe iliance ‘has a purely Labour Group to the local

Gonal role — it gives Labour Party. This must be a

prerequisite for a deeper and rote formal involvement of the Party's membership.

them power. Although the Right has ery clear ideas about the ray in which the Council ld jettison the Manifesto develop policies on the asis of co-opération with:

iitude to both the Manifesand the development of icles and strategy.

tion, and the’ trade union neat Selogates to. the constituency

It is fairly obvious that the Parties.

fiance has neither the eee

cohesion nor the coherence to together in any eaningful way. It is

Secondly, this wider. Labour arty must be prepared 10 take ‘on board other sections of the

entre can argue against a jdening of the franchise in ext year’s elections within the Labour Group, and it is impossible to imagine the ight being content with ir role as voting fodder for he leadership's legitimacy.

‘On a purely individdal basis, Alan Woods, the chief Whip, has already stated that he will challenge Tony Dukes for the leadership next year, nd Roy Shaw, a hard Right

in Bren

BRENT’S anti-apartheid campaign reached its

=a es climax with the flying visit begun Vong widrthe Tocer | of the Rev. Dr. Alan cathe Employment | Boesakon Thursday, 26th ommitiee. irisunlikely that | June. In an oratorical perhe chaos which surrounds | formance which reminded current leadership has | one of the Ite Martin either the ability or the | Tuther King, Alan Boesak inclination 10 organise itself | Grew a. pewerful into an effective policy- aes wordmaking body. picture of the struggle go-

ing on in South Africa today. This despite the fact

It is therefore incumbent on the Left in Camden to fill

Broadwater Farm Defence Campaign Sunday 20th July

12 noon underneath Tangmere Broadwater Farm London N17 Move off 1pm from Willan Road Rally at Finsbury Park:

To Join the Anti-Racism Festival

March against Police Harassment

Assemble for March Sunday July 20th

labour movement tend to involve them in every level of policy making. The community Organisations, the tenants ‘associations, the local govern- ‘ment trade unions, and au entice ‘Cross-Section of campaigning and Specific issue groups, must be ‘Brough into the democratic proese Again, its absurd to expect individuals and organisations to devote their time and energies to policy and strategy if their imBortance is not formally recognised.

“The question of accountability is absolutely vital to the broadening of the democratic. process. (Camden has lagged behind other Labour parties in both London and elsewhere in developing and Strengthening the accountability

land the respoast fy, the entire thrust of local government stralegy in Camden ‘ill be completely divorced from the labour movement in the Borough.

Grounds for optimism We believe that there are some

Anti-apartheid

Charlie van Gelderen Brent South

that he was handicapped by the restrictions of the state of emergency.

He could not, he said, talk about people who had been detained under Botha’s draconjan emergency regulations, tor could he refer to ‘missing persons’. He could only say that people had. disappeared — leaders of the organisations of the liberation movement, trade unionists, church people, children. He spoke of children ‘who had died tnder police fire (been beaten to death by the police — children who died before they could enjoy being children

South Africa was in a state of war. This was true even if fone side was armed with the most modern sophisticated ‘weapons, and the other side had. only the weapons which lay to hand — stones, bricks and so_on. Mrs. Thatcher. Ronald Reagan and Dr. Kohi ‘were allied to Botha, helping {0 prop up the apartheid resime. He was disparaging about the proposal to send an EEC delegation to be headed by Howe to South Africa. The

oo ol

tion they needed. He was tired of outside statespeople meeting to decide the fate of I ing the people, of SouthAfrica.

ed

grounds for optimism. The Enrrent leadership are undoubtedly aware thal their actions have angered and alienated 2 broad cross-section ‘of opiaion in the Party, the hope ff reaching any lasting Alliance ‘with the Right is minimal, and if the Centre are 10 reigin any reality a all they mest acknowledge that they are not the sole policy-making body’ in the Party. Indeed, unless they are prepared to accept the widening Of democracy and their accountable place within that Drovess itis igh unlikely that they will beable to either exercise ‘even minimal control in the Labour Group, or retain any support with the local Labour

‘However, while itis essential that the Left continue to press for a moce democratic and open forum for positions within the ‘Council, it & also vital that we

Greasing demands of our Sommuntiy.

We are aware that the Centca/Right “Alliance will. do ‘Seryfung in ther power to limit gromh

Denditure. This is not based on a conscious political programme, for @ particular ideology, it is ‘iecely to Fimit both the expectations of the community, and to ‘control the demand for resources that is being made by those in need.

sand our strat . ‘identifying specific areas where more resources are needed, and Dutting forward firm proposals for releasing those resources. ‘These proposals, drawn up by the eatre labour movemeat in the Borough, must then form the ‘basis of demands that are placed fon the ruling Centre/Right ‘Alliance.

‘We must ensure that the entire Manifesto is properly costed, and then targetted for ‘implementation over the four Pe Peat the Coane, The

fe/Right are bound to ‘advance the argument that Tesources must be teld back until 2 Labour Goverament isin Power, but this argument is Satrely spurious. The resources ‘can be made available prior to the next General Election, both by Saptaliation ‘esccaly borrowing money) and by raising cash from the sale or lease of ‘unwanted assets. The demand {or resources, and for a political programme to mice this demand, ES immediate — the homeless, the ‘overcrowded, the disabled, the ‘elderly, women and ethnic minorities — should not be insulted by being told that

banner unfutled, declaring Soci i here, comradey, the rhetoric was just or Fleet Stet

Weneed to act, and we need 10 ‘ac now. In Camden, both in terms of democracy and ‘Scowmabiy, and ip tems of towing people's needs, we have icay to ion.

are our ambulances?

“WHERE are our ambulances?” has been the collective ery from thousands of | pati

across the capital, since

14_seriously ill patients,

maternity cases and even

ceident tervices without the

required standard of cover.

ts ssioual health authorities covering London were asked in

March to. teduce their caseload

the introduction on March to luc: te cscload March 1 of a new patients by 40%. The result was management scheme for fhaos:

the London Ambulance Service, which brought an instant cut of 40-60% in some nonemergency services.

‘London Ambulance chiefs had proposed a new pay structure for Embulance crews which appeared to. offer salaried status and improved basic rates! what they id pot point out was that Siminatcd "overtime working ‘utvalent o 233 fullsime staf, Shd that they Bad 0 plans 16 imake up the difference!

To order to maintain emergency services, extra staff fad fo be divened from nonemergency work collecting pete soe cies, oy

and other treatment, ‘Thousands of sick, elderly and disabled patients were left

‘stranded,

‘But behind this cutback lies a continual rundown of London’s ‘ambulance service over the past Several years, that has denied thousands more patients their Fight to ambulance transport.

in 1979, restrictive new quotas” were introduced to cut back on the numbers of non-

Satients carted.

@Handicapped_ children were told to use buses oF taxis between their home in Croydon and their regular treatment atthe Maudsley Hospital, Camberwell Iheeause they were judged “able

‘appointment ‘ambulances never arrive;

Bospitais and. outpatient treatm

Hospi general manages Joined the growing public outcry at these cuts, over which they ad not even been consulted, pointing (othe wholesale Gisruption of clinics and day hospital services.

Tn the face of this pressure, South West Thames regional health authority which runs the London Ambulance Se decided to cut back other Spending in order to appoint an extra 100 ambulance staff: but this will stil leave the LAS short- ‘handed and lagging even Turther behind

‘All the available figures —

emergency | SSTRE'resultt While government even those produced, by SW ministers talk endlessly about the ‘Thames itself — show that unless

more staff and resources are eploved, patients in London face’ growing inconvenience, ‘expense, discomfort and misery as a result of 2. devastating Shortfall of service compared (0

fact that the NHS is treating ‘more patients than ever Defore™ (even in London with it falling population) the Tact is ‘that London’s ambulances. are corrsing FEWER patients then

cea. "These cutbacks in an emotive and popular sector of the NHS offer local Labour Parties and health campaigns fresh ammunicion in the fight against ‘Tory attacks.

Further details and an easy-toread tabloid. factsheet on the ambulance cuts are available free from London Health Emergency, 335 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1. 01-833 3020

st, levine posto elderly, disabled

thousands of

FIGHTING BACK IN ‘86 A London-wide forum for health unions and campaigners Saturday July 26, 10am-2pm Mary Ward House, 5-7 Tavistock Place, WC1

(Russell Square Tube)

‘Campaigns in London have been gathering strength and even notching up some small but significant victories in defence of the NHS.

‘Protests have held back savage cuts at the Maudsley

Fear of public opposition has persuaded Health Ministers to postpone w decision onthe lowur of Wostrnste Hostal

‘big campaigns are bullding up against cuts and closur Fiversite {West London Hospital Wandsworth (St James) and Hampsted (Now End and Royal Froo)

‘ore Joint Shop Stewards Committees are producing their ‘own local bulletins to inform and mabiise health workers.

"eNorman Fowler he evicted as a result of the sale of NHS housing,

"An open forum on “July 26, organised by London Health

will ain 10 poo! information and experiances from these and other siraggles and campaigns across London, and give ‘lead to those seoking to bulld campaigns in thelr own districts.

‘Cempeigns, unions: Labour Partise and. affilates of LHE are invited to send representatives or observers to participate in the Giscussion. There ie no conference fee.

‘For more Information, ‘contact London Health Emergency 01-833 3020.

Landon isto Bring MUO ISUE Juhu 1986 Fags 2

Statement for Labour Briefing local government conference

Stand firm against Tory Diktat

On July Sth London Labour Briefing organised a conference of left wing councillors to co-ordinate the {fightback across London. We print below the statement ‘presented to the conference.

We challenge the right of this Tory government to impose its policies on democratically-elected local councils.

We recognise that the strategy of this government is to shift the balance of power and wealth even further away from working people. Mass unemployment, increased repression, ratecapping, abolition of the GLC and metropolitan counties, privatisation, cuts in services and benefits, fare all part and parcel of this strategy. The Widdicombe Report signals yet a further attack on local democracy by proposing more centralised control through unacceptable restrictions on the democratic rights of local authority workers, on local councils’ rights to challenge government policy and on the internal workings of the Labour Party.

We reject this strategy and will take whatever steps aré necessary to defend and extend the rights of all the sections of the working class.

We call on all Labourcontrolled local authorities to unite and to:

* campaign with the trade union movement and their local communities to challenge and resist central government refuse to make cuts in services

refuse to make council workers redundant

refuse to privatise any council service

refuse to increase council rents

implement policies which provide real equality of opportunity for all sections of the community by taking positive action to redress disadvantages of class, race, sex, sexuality, age or disability, and by developing eaningful anti-racist strategies, which must include full disinvestment from any companies which have dealings with South Africa.

We applaud and support those comrades in Lambeth and Liverpool who stood by Party policy and refused to. make cuts in jobs or Services. We deplore the actions of unelected judges and district auditors in surcharging and disqualifying elected councillors, We believe it is the duty of the whole labour movement to support these comrades.

We are fully committed to the election of a Labour government and will campaign to achieve this as soon as possible, But we believe that this will be achieved, not by watering down or discarding Labour’s programme, but by mobilising all sections of the working class in support of t policies which serve and advance the interests of our class, We are totally opposed to the witch hunting of socialists from the Party and demand that those who have been expelled are reinstated immediately and that all charges against other comrades are dropped.

We demand that the next Labour Government implements the policies of the Labour Party Conference. In particular, we demand that:

+ all repressive Tory laws are repealed, especially those relating to local government, public order and the trade

+ retrospective legislation is enacted to remoye all penalties and disqualifications from surcharged Labour councillors and the powers of the district auditor are repealed

‘+ democratically-elected strategic authorities are restored to London and elsewhere

+ a massive investment in jobs, housing, education, etc, with Labour's commitment to full employment being reinstated

% the renationalisation, without compensation, of all services and industries sold off by the Tories and the nationalisation, under workers’ control, of all major financial institutions and industries,

New war on local authorities

‘Thatcher's government is preparing for a new battle with Labour local authorities. Its objective — the total anniiliaton of radical local government as seen in London, Liverpool, Sheffield and other left-controlled cities and town halls. Its strategy will combine abolition of rates and the introduction of poll tax, privatisation of council services, disqualifying large numbers of people from political’ activity, increasing the power of ‘bureaucrats, ising council procedures and the eseoiekmeet ot tion development cotpecet Goch as .

The arch-monetarist,

Nicholas Ridley has been © Narendra Makanjj stalled as the environment =

secretary to begin a five year © Haringey councillor

plan to achieve this objective

Ridley arises out of the ashes

Of Hesetine King, Jenkin «ne’way for gree

and Baker to promise “more participation by women,

legislation which will be Black people, lesbians and

unpalatable, contentious and gay men, people with

difficult” in his own words. (Local Govenrment Chronicle, 27th June). In order to buy off Tory, Liberal and some right wing Labour authorities, there will be a temporary casing of public spending — mainly

disabilities and other oppressed groups. A y of ways

successful methods quickly transmitted to other areas — so that the wheel was not being reinvented all the time.

through education spending. ‘However, the language of all (Close Co-operation these intiatives has been eet social democratic; for Beg 8 4533 ae example, the arguments are

confrontations, Labour authorities can only survive if there is close co-operation between authorities, with the Party, the unions’ and the ‘community organisations. It is important for activists and councillors to begin this debat_by analysing the strengths and weaknesses of

for “equal opportunities”, and not for ‘“‘equality"". The legislation containing our activities such as the Race Relations Act, Sex Discrimination Act, etc., ‘were all passed during the period of social democracy in the mid seventies. Socialist councils need to review their

thé general election, there Police accountability, the will be considerable pressure health emergency and nuclear

on the leaders of Labour councils to keep their heads down and not to rock the boat as a means of winning that all-important general election.

The main strength of Labour in local government has been the successes achieved in all the democratic

‘Wherever left wing policies have been pitted against Toryism in local elections, Labour has won; in the process, the Tory party has ceased fo exist in many parts ‘of London (and other cities).

free zone campaigns are successes which must be built upon. By these efforts, there hhas been a massive shift in public opinion on all these issues, despite the hesitations and ‘sellouts of Labour's front benchers such as Jack Cunningham and Gerald Kaufmann. However, the accountability of pubic services to the consumers needs to be taken further. Co-ordinated campaigns need to be mounted regarding the energy sector (Gas, and electricity suplies)

atone as ae oes industry (Post Office,

‘working closely with the local parties and with local community organisations.

radio/television and upgraded, schoo! meals service is transport); local authorities ‘mote books are should accept the role of schools colleges and “Noice of the people” and libraries, ec., etc. If Labour is to pressurise these authorities in ing iy suppor

allies poids. ye go tm tite me 0, felis should be prepared to use the fiving in bed and breakfast

hotels, the schools staff is well- ‘motivated and jobs are being created by the thousands. Someone, very famous once said’ “I's socialism or bbarbarism.”” ‘The choice facing councillors is the Tory road of privatisation, centralisation and inequality ot Labour's one of democracy, equality and accountability. In the battle,

financial muscle of the councils to force the changes in policies, with the aim of full public’ accountability to elected authorities,

‘The main shortcomings which need tobe addresed are the eteriorating housing, increased ‘unemployment and the rundown of the education service. Whilst government policies are at the root of all these issues, Labour Authorities should come together to confront all the problems that exist in these fields. Labour must ‘use all its financial, technological ‘and ideological ‘resources 10 ensure that new houses are built, existing houses are repaired and renovated, school buildings are

Taking over in Lambeth

‘There is always a problem culture shock in having to deal for a new Labour Admin. With me. Theblack communities istration taking over from hay hur many changes now a previous one. In the first take place as a result of there beplace we want to establish ‘ing a black leader. T hope T shall ‘our distinct identity. On 201 disappoint them.

the other hand we have no, THE Jast wo months have for intention or desire to op. epernutenup wih king pose decisions made by the My conclusion at this stage is previous Labour Group. that structural changes have to This is the position that the be made o ensure that the needs Lambeth are faced with. hall spect of serie delivery. And we have a special ‘The main argument I have to ‘moral and political duty to confront is how we achieve our the surcharged former — (tiectives, not so much what councillors to honour their ga ahs agi NE struggles and sacrifices.

Having said that it has also

been important for me as a

to find an officer, union member or Lahour councillor who is op-

black woman to establish

myself as Leader.

posed to equal opportunities in- ‘There are many individuals,

Htiatives, but that does not necessarily mean that initiatives are adopted and pursued. For

both officers and members of

the public, who have grown ac~

ccustomed to dealing with whitey

‘my own part I believe that the oly way the Counci’s services

‘men in positions of authority and

seem to be suffering from

‘Labour councillors can expect no ‘support from our Parliamentary front bench; hence the over riding priority must be to work

all the left wing

together wit

the types of changes in society which would pave the way for victory in the general election,

will be relevant to the whole Community is when we have set

ratte an sets ha low oppresol people to speak for themelves and when Coun cil polices velet the demands made upon us. The seting up oF a Race Equality Unit, Lesbian

Labour town halls are always full of people coming to meetings, lobbying councillors, advising council staff, participating in campaigns and so on Through publicity and campaigning, local people are more aware of what their eounils are up fo than ever

London Labour Briefing has consistently supported self-organisation of Black people in the Unions and in the community; its support for Black Sections in the Labour Party hs been unwavering. It’s a stronger force

than many of its opponents (and some of its supporters) realise.

Cllr Narendra Makanji Secretary, Labour Party Black Sections

and Gay Equality, Disability Unit, (we already have a ‘Women’s Rights Unit), are part of the process of change, and should not in my view be underestimated by those wishing 10 see significant improvements in the delivery of Council services. Linda Bellos

Leader, Lambeth Councit

Your letters

Wandsworth Labour meets its Waterloo

x Brief of policy, for the younger shown up in the election follow. was regarded with, « Dear Brien: of Briefing, clement. (usally disadvantaged Campaign Because it was scepticism bordering on hostility Pe ne ieee ace: onevparent families) decanted characteristic of much of our The Party wat eter contented Peter Cooper and Mark Fiaee —jto.theit_midst by the Tory work as Constituency parties with Town Hall in-ightng and brought to laht the fragity of Conacdasawayofswerping ht (and ‘as an all-Borough tactics, ihe deposed | Labour low-key Labour policies in Jacz Social problem "under the confederation) for a long time leadership) of, else dissolving Oe acirors or hetorough carpet". A. simiar, "but less Deforetheclection, | '” aul to grand sounding, social

ions. ‘Labour Sggressive, attitude was Returning to the detalled work purpose, fringe ‘movements Geunet estons: Labour id Gncountered on the ‘housing of local polis afer fifty years (often funded by GLC money) ‘A unique aspect of this Tory les St Parcy membership, Iwas which castrated the recognisabir 31-30 vietory (or the third time ‘This absence of recognisable _ferpleted Uy our lack of local. ty of our own efforts but atthe row) in Wandsworth was he policies for the profile: inthe ward, in the same. time failed to produce eve-of-poll. party Political ove-60s and the under Eoastituency, in the Borough. It practical resis, except that of Groadcane witch,” on averge —S_& 404 of votes and was took a lot of dogeed persuasion aking the activists feel felines, would have been ween by Characteristic of the evasion Of to ges_my ward 10 ram. a TARO A third of the electorate Socialist policies for key social Campaign ‘over Post Office _The loss of Wandsworth was 8 TNS BEB was anifel devoted ‘issues which ran through our closures under our own banner: political tragedy but one that, as

SSopuign, Wer wear imo the was’ yery unpopular to be im any ancenl Grech pay, We iectot'ss Though we were Similgrly obstinate, that” we brought upon ourselves Party of permanent opposition should campaign as the Labour Frank Brown.

‘out the Wandsworth Tory vote by a combination of “the frighteners” (comparison

‘the Feghtents” (compariton Ty years Kepe ue tia way. Party’ agatmat local” Health 5 j Pith uperfical aspects of the We avoided preventing ourseives Authority cuts. There were Branch Secretary, A flight of lies ot act sierciice Fateth acer) arn a8aParty confident ofthe power majorities on commitiees and st Northcote Ward. f 5 SBout the procedure adopted for rae ee cclling Councils sndinfluence wecouldexercseif meetings for broad move- fantasy? F TetdingoneiOnotstopascers, aed Ooi) eatt instead of Social.

tyes ate rebates), Tuimeat be recognised, thoosh, Ebour Party campaigns. The PN at

In the event the PPB achieved _that this inadequacy was only ead, others "The article “Camden: the

the Falisade year cecion ot imordanry fight of fumary—alives"in service, deliver, {Bea the Tory vote wet wD. fon wo" Hampstead aboot comrades arena during’ the ‘The Labour vote failed to Party members whose grip on miners’ strike and outside the reapond to our ver) wel os uri es fly anna to tne Genre South “Aticag’ Embastys Sion Ieratre vo oral ‘icw simple points wil give Sommiment as Trade Unions ‘Tootmg wards and tn, Putoey consndes some ten how ines! Sd tenant activists, and, hereto overall ing of Me Dear Brefing, Stearic wac ee, tly. Coon om he itera badacwsbeesuePuacy, Twritle fm fespoase to the Coamision of Eamuy wach bogough ns Mee OF ‘unlike the other two constituen. gratuitous insult from your agreed to reinstate on the 4, The Campaign Committee Guer Tong and Banenes, Hampstead posturites a ae oe {does not border on other Labour Woody Haut and Steven “right-wingers” (rejected, _serles of election meetings which Boros Taplor that Regents Park isa never tyre LO) included Gade ett cangiats from ES mp gery Sen wdvesrarissbetoonow laf and ull suppet for a rg wage” Hampden cana Tae feteet wucr nour tor. gale that eke farther ‘2. The joint LGC/Group press conferences with a varicty

the voters which accounts for nearly one’ in ier” of the sectorate, were citer sceptical afte wath of ot oli fee yy some inversion of thou! blamed Labour for their present

mecting of May 10 was nor Of speakers and. produced Mccopled as fundamental to election adresses, Into leaflets Party democracy by all sections ahd ward leaflets for every ward of the labour movement. in inthe eonstituency.

Gamsn.”" Netter the branches Amilear Cabral once told

fae pra’ the hg Sore affilatcd Trade Unions revautgnari “Do aot confse cet Reterwmere sve gh . aa ech comaleds ead’ 'the fealty wi be deas you have in SM etice of tee ee ee Holborn anfStPancias EC had your” bead.” Our’ Hampstead fave te inprendon of bavog fat Tied unerimously that the tutors might ket take ote Seper probleme. than our esi soul oa ve eviory Gareth Smyth Pinko, heviag. brought up Group leader The GMC has Holborn & St Pancras

families themselves in the more subsequently endorsed the CLP. difficult times of the fifties and Sixties they were oval hostile about our policies, oF

A reply to Christine Shawcroft

= a MAYBE “Labour didn’t agreed by the Local GovernP lose” in Tower Hamlets ment Committee — which is, (interview with Christine after all, the body that decides Shawcroft in LLB 61) but Patty policy on such issues — and the LGC has not rescinded . B a Christine Shaweroft its support for those tactics. ‘seems to have lost sight of Christine's statement that the Issues in the local crs Shanahan and Rackley party and on the council. Peas EN Z Tnstead of any idea of ing against the Labour Party's ‘The number of Black councillors in the new council has In the last four years we vial ths haan Leben budget during Councl debates gone up from five to eleven, the increase is not confined to have come a long way in roup leader ‘to iS _absurd. We are told they fiimbers alone. The Annual Borough Conference elected Deine a foot ae ack eee ricbemcas Ye tating, to hold the four Black councillors to prominent positions. The first brane deogerine ane ne cate of Gece See ee ee Asian woman councillor ever lected in London was elected copeaialiy oasis Thome a Ss nel cao of Staneie Nake a8 Chair of Community Development Committee and days are gone when the Years, we get a poor at- tome: when the body that decmyself a complete newcomer became the Deputy Mayor. majority of people in the Tenet to Bie over, re. ides Party policy on a particu. ‘Two old-timers were elected as the Chair of Social Services ‘queue outside the Housing ea aad. fowise the {at issue (in this case the LGC) and Race Relations Committee (when in operation). Office are Black and the and mythologise the votes fora policy you disagree There was no clear and people on the other side of Si ge ati yon refuse tbe bound arlene = Saeed : poe ¥ Hamlets Labour Party. by that policy, and try to obsta“ e a Nasrullah Syed the counter are all white Cygne eS in the manifesto for a Race Deputy Mayoe, Still we have a long way to where Christine | Shawerofi “GLC 10” had the support of lations Committee, Mees Laie g0 to see that arrowly defeated Susan Car- the GLLP, GLC unions and there is a surge of byt aoae rn surge of suppor Coe (a)equalopportunity pol- resentation in_propertions | Isle, Chrisine thinks "alot of community, groups for their among all socialists in the ___Council_ icy ig vigorously implemen- to. our population in all | peoplevotedforuson the bas- stand; perhaps Christine can Labour Party, We the Black So cracnasorbelongingto ted _in both the service the decision-making bodies | isofourrecord”, Does this ex- tellus which local union councillors are totally com- The ‘society and socialist delivery and employment — of the country, including | Plain why all the old guard — branches and __ community mitted to the establishing of y : A Fight ‘wing. councillors” and groups were backing the brave a aia terms, and all the different Hackney Council. In parti- group Bis elation’ Commistes : their supporters, without ex- stand of Clits Rackley and a . Pethaps the Labour Party groups in the ethnic min- cular, Black women who are | orion Soted for Chnistine at Shanahan? with the active support of ig Hackney had not got the tity, population get their in the bottom of the pile} the Pariy Congress, or why in pec Eee. full-blown commitment to fair share. some wards in Bethnal Green Will Adams achieve the parity with the (>) racism must be T am a new councillor and Stepney, her nomination (Bethnal Green and BLACK SECTIONS percentage of the Black confronted with all the and consider myself very was pushed by Party members. Stepney CLP) Now the question is why population and the number commitment and resources lucky to come to the coun- | who were last seen organising wwe are only eleven and not of Black councillors selected. available, whether the issue cil at_a time when the | {© Secme Peter, Shore's re- , twenty-four or twenty-seven But they had the commit- is racial harassment in the socialist leadership has indi- | Toaiate? Black councillors which ment to put all the Black councilestates, racial harass- cated total commitment to. | “incidentally, Susan Catiyle ‘would have been more ap- women on the panel for- ment by the police, racist all the equal opportunities | gid vote for the Budget strat- London Labour Briefing propriate if the population ward to. be selected as immigration laws, fascist and race issues and all other | egythat was adopted this year. _ Editor: Graham Bash, 162 fatio is taken into account, Labour candidates. Also all and racist organisations, or issues that are dear to me. | Why does Christine want to || Mililelds Rd, London ES Therefore we suggest that Black councillors were selec- any other form of racism in We are proud that all eleven | now deny this? OAE the way forward for the ted in previously safe seats the wider community, incl- Black councillorselected are |, On the 1985 council budget: Phone:01-533 2593 time being is through a and all got elected. There- ding institutional racism. committed tothe emergence | the tactics followed by Arthur Black section which would fore we must give credit for (©) to build up a fairand of @ socialist society based | Downes, Susan Cariyic and the Deadline for articles: Sept mobilise, organise and above the actions of the Party ° equitablemultiracialsociety on the principles of peace, | Sor councillors, with the ex: Sth all give Black people some where credit is due. we must have equal rep- _jobsand racial equality ception of Thetese Shanahan and Chris Rackley, were

Labour Group

When I watch the new ILEA Labour Group members at work at County Hall T often find the strangest of thoughts passing through my head during the long hours of ennui Between interesting items of business on their crowded agenda, Last time I thought of taking a cultured Martian in {vith me and testing him/her to see if he/she could guess ‘shat the Group were doing. He/she would probably work ‘ut that i was very important and that there were a great Gnany complicated things to manege. But would he/she guess that it was all about education? 1 doubt it very much Of course a sharp Martian

might notive the word ‘cdu- Keith Lichman ation’ in the fille of some (Delegate from

of the committees (hat 1 had teen forgotten. Such Man anything else he could ‘appear on the agenda and rea Labour Party ile fai Silt Aileen thnk of att Hine ent that just might give the {sca pe mipiienid minutes, they were invited a Labour Government. That Pee aiy. On the citer. tOALEATabourGroup) "in, to tepultien yer said, they all voted for it hand, | have been to four or five minutes, allowed to five of the mectings since Last time I was privileged respond to questions for That wasn’t all that fe ctign aad 'T have towitness the Labour Group five minutes and then th happened at the Group ee revised TE ea ter deputation from all of the could have had no_more the composition Sf suer Lone at al Nata re _midor ILEA unions, NUPE, _eloqusnt statement of their ine, Dodiek (of whores wonlaa' expect It of We Nit, NAS/UWT, and smployen’ conctm . for incteas clbpie mina and futhonty. They chewed the NATFHE. They had heard them. parental representation fqwues over a Tong time ago that the current ILEA bud- When, two hours later, When. someone. asked ieues oves « Tong time So Gor was adrift by £40 mllion the budget wan discussed whether they, WOU a ind Know al he answer, and they had some to wk (another tetminnts job) a increase, teasin | rep eet Bor ar ee cue cmcanters oko make polls gterepis ig ads inton, PA Bae es cata Wen | prunfled oo 10) the wslons who. were 9 SING Ol go Ce eee rerra bat the Trwles Union dope- then promptly foigotien. T° DUB Tat vere ee eee tauiay; an my Wag the eid cm. my boncd not ts 48 Unless Tey ee es Bee toe loo, Tey Dat been witing seven okaety what watctid Dope ee oy Hest Sale HONE for an ions and a file in Gave fs cat pets out of Batty. I only the Aare headbangers with bees in Many of their number had the bag along with the hot could get on with its proper Headbangers With Meee ic give up Hope of beingseen air but Steve Bundred, the Pune, | Wiktnl | Tet aa once ee London) at-all and had left for other Chair of Finance, said that rene from teachers. ‘Then make London _peefings, ‘Those remaining capitalisation af revenue NE mignL Ally BBE some: Where concerned that they items was bad but better tinelone.

Marylebone: not the end of the line?

‘Tessa van Gelderen BRITISH Rail. has with- (Marylebone NUR and drawn the closure notice Brent South CLP)

relating to Marylebone ed

station and depot, four BR ind the government still other stations and the lin- ov Rpsce the sheet

jibes i railways, yet_ more i

ea Northolt — fn he poiable bits privat ‘The BRB has been forced ‘So the news at present is todo this because London good nows. The unions, the Regional Transport could work-force and the passengers Me cope with the extra ave a breathing space. and

‘some repaits have been ‘volume of traffic closure SOS FPA na Network

‘would entail. ; ar ‘South Fast cosmetic exercise. The statement from British ‘At least the roof won't leak Rail announcing the change of guite so much. But unless the plan made it clear that it was unions take up the offensive vet achangeof heart. Over the pow and argue for more investfeat decade, very litle invest’ ment inthe linc, the passen- ‘ment has been put info the ers will be only’ too happy t0 area: stock is falling apart, the see it closed. Who wants old, {rack and signalling need up- uncomfortable trains that fil, dating (Marylebone is the only and unlit, unheated stations to London terminal to have sema- rat for the frain that might Phore siguling) and cond Wot‘come? We shoud not be ions for passengers and work satisfied with fighting simply force are disgraceful. Do BR to save jobs, although that is ow plan to. change this? our first prignty. We wast an ph ‘The Board ae, * ‘industry that provides an exTisleces siesecigs al ‘ate cellent sexed lx Cte ee

and lines affected were under discussion, They have a numer of options: reduce the ‘number of platforms, close the ‘depot and fun the High Wye- ‘ombe service into Paddington; ‘make the service a rush-hour service only (ike Fenchurch SL.) and so on. In « nutshell,