OF THE THREE candidates standing in the Newham Centrai ward bv-election last month, both the Conservatives and the British National Party called for the council to withdraw funding from Newham Unfortunately for them, Newham's Labour council had already beat them to it and cut NMP's grant funding.
An unprecedented "review" of NMP criticised the project for it's involvement in anti-fascist camcy cartasi sod hima was killed in It is clear from police custody last year), and criticised couccive acus ods of organisation Capparently there simply trying to was insufficient dis. noncwcel management and "efficient" to the full time workers).
The bulk of the rest of the review simply lists a leadership, but are number of minor determined to quibbles, for example where the review ensure the NMP investigated alleged financial mismanagement, it pointed independently of to two VAT receipts in a 3 year period them. which had insufficient details, and the fact that staff members bought tea and coffee from the shop next door when they could have saved money going to a supermarket.
The council had seven different measures they could have taken to address any problems, the last of which being the complete withdrawal of funding.
There immediate response was to opt for the latter. Under their contract when funding is withdrawn the council is obliged to al. low NMP a 3 month winding down period. Currently the council is try. ing to withhold even this.
It is clear from their actions that the council are not simply trying to prove themselves "eficiene" to the new Labour leadership but are determined to ensure NMP does not continue independently of them.
The last L.:
Jooul Krowe cc saw a lively, 500-strong picket outside East Ham Town Hall in which supporters of NMP pledged to Natt, who NMP had supported folracist harassment from tnc police waich their actions that he had recorded гарс, the council are not peared on the picket Jolowing a five day hunger prove themselves strike in protest at the councils actions. should comc as ao sur BNP. the Newham Recorder, the Todoes not continue rics and now the Labour Council all want to sce an end to NMPsactivities. Such op is PosTsion TOTY O ne effectiveness of the project's militant, class based anti-racism. Itis the task of all principled anti-racists to ensure that NMP continues, with or without the support of the right wing Labour council. For details about the NMP de fence contact NMP 1 Uo epo or write to 382 Katherine Road, Forest Gate, E7.