IN THREE YEARS since the election of this New Labour government more council houses have been privatised than under the Tories. Now the government is planning the transfer of more than 200,000 a year - meaning that, if it is sucessful, within a decade there will be no council housing left.
This is a massive attack on the welfare state that would see us return to the days of Rachmann.
One of the biggest lies in this whole scandal is that these plans are being carried through for financial reasons. But the government are bribing councils by promising to write of up to £12 billion in debts if they transfer stock to the private sector.
Another myth is that we shouldn't oppose the transfers anyway because Housing Associations are not really the private sector - they are non-profit organisations.
But Inside Housing points out that 56% of all Housing Associations made profits of over 10% in the period 1995999 and gave average annual pay t heir Chief F xecutive of £67,000!
Fortunately an increasing number of ocal campaigns are being set up to fight back against these plans - and some have won significant victories.
Recent ballots where council plans have been defeated include in Wvcombe, where there was a 52% no vote. in South Bedfordshire, where 72% said no and on the Ethered Estate in Lambeth, where the vote against privatisation was 60%. Saturday October 21, 11 am Manchester - Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St. OUR HOMESIL