better. organised the right wing in his campaign just as the left should have themselves against the right. ever heard from Hackney Labour Left was that organising against the right wing would be diverting away from the fight against rate-capping!
How can we fight against rate-capping it we do not see the necessity of challenging the Kinnockites in the Labour Gorup and the Labour Party? Hackney Labour Left were more contented with tail-ending the Hilda Kean leadership.
Sometimes the fight on rate-capping in Hackney was described as Miners' Strike" We saw one Council meeting prevented from taking because the Town Hall trade unions occupied it. This was in response to the attempt by the right in the Labour Group to set a rate without anyone noticing.
Stewards where there was a lobby. Everyone knew by then of a motion that was to be proposed by a right wing Labour Councillor Tony Millwood for a rate to be set.
Hackney right wing gives Left a lesson a left Antony Labour that the struggle at In miners' strike, are in- their mistakes that again of the Labour Group before, when all the Chairs of Committees were voted for, and all the key (Housing, right wingers obviously chosen for the ex- He perience in adminstering cuts. "just happened"; but it was a conscious organised But all we from organisation Labour Left found it difficult to distinguish between its own role Hackney Labour Parties: they should have been setting out to organise the left in the Labour Party, challenging the right wing. to set a rate, with the six Liberal and three Tory councillors probably voting with the right on the Labour Millwood's budget crease (which, incidentally, was almost ex- "Hackney's actly the same as the Liberal budget which had previously been voted down at a Council meeting). place there was a spontaneous outburst of chan- ting and shouting that had been building throughout the meeting. up 100 surged people (described as "rent a mob" in the London community groups. Confusion reigned. lhe meetinc
PER ДОЗІН BRANCH Hackney's collapse leaves Lambeth floating alone. We had seen the right wing take control AGM the week Chairs Public Services, etc.) went to To Hackney Labour Left all these things Hackney right. and that of the It was obvious that Hackney was going Hackney Tony tor 13.75% rate in- Just before the vote was to take place Then about the into meeting evening paper The Standard the next making day): mostly trade unionists and people in for 15 was adjourned ninutes. Hilda Kean came back and made Socialist Viewpoint, No. 6, June 1985. Page 25
a statement - saying that she supported the intentions of those prople in the Coun cil Chamber, but could they please leave so that the vote could take place.
Hackney Labour Left Convenors, Pat Jordan and Philippa Jones, then proceeded, typically, to ask people to leave, instead of supporting the action taken by the people of Hackney.
Although only a small incident, this is a perfect illustration of how Hackney Labour Left and the left leadership fail to meet the needs of working class people.
The Council meeting was unable to take place as we refused to move. The Council voted to set a rate the next day.
Labour Parties are now in a situation where the left are in opposition. It is important that a fight is taken up for the Labour Parties to set up an anti-cuts campaign which should have full participation from trade unions and community groups.
It is true that in Hackney there will be no cuts as such - just unfilled vacancies but it is important that the people of Hackney are prepared for the onslaught that will hit them next year.
A fight must also be taken against those Councillors who voted to set a rate. They must be campaigned against vehemently,
sure that everyone knows these were the people who sold out the Town Hall workers and the people of Hackney in the fight against rate-capping.
Coventry Labour takes