ISSN 0951-8657 Published by Socialist Outlook PO Box 1109 London N4 2UU. All rights reserved. Printed by Eastway Offset (TU all depts) NEXT MONTH's local government elections will be the first major test at the polls of Blair's New Labour Party since its triumphant victory just one year ago. It seems certain that they will not repeat the overwhelming successes of the General Election. Local government elections are rarely kind to government's of course and the anti-Tory factor that was so important last year will not operate in the same way. But there are other factors too.
Millions voted for Blair in the belief that he would deliver them from the Tory nightmare but instead the same policies have been followed.
This has had its impact locally as well as naționally as local councils have continued to slash public spending, squeezed between lack of central government funding and their own unwillingness to mount a political fight. At the same time most have continued to levy high levels of council tax, rents and other charges.
Across England we are likely to see a rise in the Tory and Liberal Democrat vote, while in Scotland the SNP are likely to do much better than last year. With the Scottish Assembly achieved, voters north of the border are determined to make clear that they are not content.
In one area of England there is another crucial issue at stake on May 7. In London there will be a referendum on regional government - with a massive and poisonous sting in its tail.
The dismantling of the GLC was one of the most unpopular acts of a why we Thatcher for voters in the capital. But Blair is determined that there will be no restoration of democracy for Londoners. Instead after a sham consultation period London's voters are presented with a take it or leave it package of a presidential type mayor and a weak assembly of 25 members with no real power. All real decisions will be made by the mayor, the assembly will just rubber stamp them. Nor will there be any power to levy finarice to deal with the desperate problems the city faces. This is no way to reverse the years of Tory decline. Voices that have called for a different model of government have been ignored. The London Labour Party Special Conference on this issue was not even allowed to vote because it was clear that it would oppose the leadership's plans.
Labour's sick slogan for the referendum is "Let's get London movbut their package will do nothing of the sort. Labour councils, since before Labour was in government, have established a wretched record of attacking jobs and services - and could pay the price on May 7. Given all this, Socialist Outlook adds its voice to those in the labour movement who are calling for a 'no' vote in the referendum. A sizeable 'No' will be the best basis for the campaign that will need to be mounted after May 7 to achieve real democracy and effective control for the people of London. OUR It is also the best way to make it more difficult for Blair to carry through his other plans for local government reform, which include the introduction of powerful mayors into other major cities. Vote No in London on May 7and fight for real democracy.