OPPOSITION to all rate and rent increases was rejected by a conference on 'The crisis of local government finance and services' organised by the Socialist Campaign Victory on 16 June.
About 230 delegates and visitors attended the conference, which began with a speech from Lambeth council leader Ted Knight detailing the Tory attacks on local governent spending. He had less to say on how they could be fought, but former Wandsworth councillor Mike Ward started outline what could be done against the Tory-imposed cuts.
How in a period imposed cutbacks was at the root of the political divide in almost all the debates. The discussion around a motion calling for no rate and rent increases. Some argued that only on this basis could services be maintained. but supporters Socialist Challenge and Action pointed out that such increases made the working class pay directly for services The motion opposing was lost by a 2-1 majority. But despite this, and the fact that the conference left behind it no organisation, it was a useful start to a much needed debate on the role of Labour councillors.
also the Labour Party nationally.
IsIngLoll S a Labour Bradbury and housing department, led the left. Cain to bearer for the right.
could maintain attacking. 'outsiders' settle in Islington.
meeting climaxed of Workers Housing buagets and voluntary services.
could almost increases "Labour and the crisis, forward?' average, at a stormy council That comment itself makes the council meeting worthy of note, but it attention for miniaturised version it presented of the current struggle for the soul of socialism allegedly taking place inside council meeting Margaret Watson, former chairperson of the council's Present Labour leader Gerry Southgate, with greying temples and standard was LIC He was ably assisted by one Bill Bayliss, who rose to local repute by who dared tc Bayliss spent part of the eight hour reading religious newspaper, one article of which was headed: "The land God gave to Cain'.
Ostensibly the argument the meeting concerned cuts the Labour right was proposing to make in the left.
But there was more to it than that;
have been billed Despite its trendy image Islington is similar to most inner city boroughs. Unemployment is twice the national there are 10,000
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