Party local government of a fierce onslaught on local councils.
defence of the GLC metropolitar councils, the fight against rate capping, and the batby Liverpool council were all at the centre of the fightback acclared many delegates. And icial action by councils necessary.
There was obvious pleasure govern ment's decision to cancel AS take overe m and metropolitan counties LOnference was determined to fend these councils and to force elections.
The main issue now was the need for non-compliance with the Tory plans by Labour councils local Support for the fight by Liverpool council was a strong feature of the conTerence. Liverpool deputy leader, Derek Hatton, got the applause, when he explained A MESSAGE OF defiance to the Tory government attacks on local councils was issued by the Labour on 7 July.
Representatives of Labour councils and their controlling parties were meeting in Sheffield in the face Liverpool had shown that confrontation with the government was necessary.
delegate from Oxford Labour Party The Labour reader ship, in particular shadow environment spokesper SOT Jonn Cunningham and Neil Kinnock, came in TOI strong criticism for their failure to lead the campaign and for their attacks on Liverpool.
The plight of ratecouncils was discussed at length, including secret sessions for those councils believed to be on the hit-list une proposal by Ted Knight and other London leaders TOT strategy of not setting a rate next May was welcom ed by many delegates. This was arguru, would enable councils to unite in a common fight to confront the government Both supporters critics recognised there were problems with this strategy - - the tact thai some 'uppity' authorities (including the GLC) had a statutory obligation to raise a rate by a certain LillIC. and that council house rents would still be paid, creating divisions between tenants and nontenants.
Nonetheless many
Socialist Action 27 July 1984
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GOVERNMENT POLICIES