SON list Worker ital closures, freeze, cuts IW DO WE ГОРТНЕ DRIES?
ON SATURDAY 25 March a demonstration in defence of public sector jobs and services is being called by the Birmingham Community Conference. The march already has the support of UNISON West Midlands region, Birming### UNISON OFE LEN Birmingham cuts protest ham CWU, NUT, NUJ, Trades Council and Socialist Campaign Group as well as the West Midlands Pensioners Convention.
Assemble in Victoria Square at noon for a rally at 1pm. For details write to BCC, 723 Pershore Road, Birmingham.
By a Labour councillor THERE IS a long story behind the suspension of four Birmingham constituency Labour parties. It is an outrageous and orchestrated example of reselection paranoia meeting up with Labour's inexperienced party leader and new General Secretary.
There is no Asian MP in Birmingham. Even the existing Labour MPs agree an Asian candidate should be selected in a winnable seat... so long as it isn't theirs!
In Sparkbrook there is a retiring MP, Roy Hattersley, and the chance to select an Asian candidate. But the constituency is merging with Small Heath where Labour-right MP Roger Godsiff wants to stand again Godsiff was selected last time after a protracted campaign in which allegedly misused union votes secured him the candidature. His opponent, councillor Afzal, is supported by neighbouring MP Clare Short.
Under one-member-one-vote, individual recruitment is crucial to selection campaigns. Inevitably, there have been allegations of voting "fodder' recruitment with membership fees paid for. The party has painstakingly checked Sparkbrook and Small Heath membership against the electoral register.
Grants
A party official illegally compared these details with applications for statutory urban renewal grants when these grants became entangled in the selection battle.
Renewal grants are part of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Local authorities now have to either close houses unfit for human habitation or give repair grants.
Three years ago Sparkbrook Labour party opened a major campaign to inform local residents of the grants. Councillors began to complain that applica tions for this statutory grant was placing a certain stain on the Council's officers and budget.
Roger Godsiff advised constituents to apply for statutory grants.
But details were leaked to the press, alleging that 50 per cent of -statutory applications in Small Heath were from households with a party member. In Sparkhill, the figure is 17 per cent.
The Observer headlined this as "Labour Sleaze" on 26 February, alleging that Sparkbrook and Small Heath were 'buying votes' by assisting party members to gain housing grants.
The party leadership suspended the four constituencies for the 'crime' of elected representatives helping constituents gain statutory It is feared that the NEC will impose a candidate.
The suspension is opposed by left and right in the party. It must be ended, giving full membership rights for Parliamentary selections.