and local jobs and services. That means a firm commitment: to movement each council decides to adopt.
Just before Christmas, the ILEA USU brought against them by Westminster council. The judge ruled that the 'Save ILEA' had DID CILY 'persuasive' as well as in¡ormational content. The ILEA appealing the decision, but have withdrawn such publicity till then.
Of course, in view of all the decisions last year the court shourd sel thin should this way. And it affects the GLC campaign as well.
Unti legal advice Is ODtained, GLC publicity has Decl LOO the Democracy for LonCanDago Deer reduced from nine workers THE NEW YEAR marks a crucial stage in the campaign against the Tory attacks on local government. Early in March councils up and down the country will be making their budgets and setting their rates.
that Labour councils, together with local government unions and community organisations, take a united stand against the Tory assault on democracy legislation - based on mass action by the labour Lake de. tion outside the law that Cavilig in without a fight.
In that context the forthcoming special conTerence of Greater London (GLLP) will be an important one. It takes place on Saturdav ly Januarv and will consider a policy state1i Ull the executive together with amendments submitted by local parties a cacer Botn for London anu LOnGOn Bridge campaigns are supresolution constituencies calling for This conference will be the first opportunity 1985 for the London malgo HA 1-80 relgo HANDS OFF THE ME COUNTIES: democratic accountability and control. freeze in 1985-6. 4 Recognising that the both locally other attacks such Consules democratic freedoms in facilitate local campaigns.
ty control.
services are at risk. 1 The Greater London Labour Party (Regional Council) reaffirms its suport for Labour councils defending and promoting jobs and services under 2 Furthermore, we recognise that Labour councils are in the forefront of the battle against this government in protecting jobs and services and we call upon all trade unions and other sections of the labour movement to give full support to those councils in confrontation with the government. 3 The Greater London Labour Party calls upon all Labour councils to construct their budgets for 1985-6 in accordance with local wishes, but ensuring the maintenance of existing services and jobs and recognising the growing needs of their com munities and more particularly of those sections of the community most hit by the Tory economic and social policy. In particular, there should be a rents goverment will seek to divide and isolate Labour councils and will put pressure on individual councillors, the regional execuuve snoula enacavour to acvelop a uninica ap proach among Labour councils supported by the NEC, the parliamentary party and the TUC Local councils cannot succeed in reversing Tory attacks without the full support of the trade Hanonally, associations and community organisations. Furthermore, it is essential for councils to link up with other workers suffering from government cuts and as health service workers, mineworkers etc, and we call upon the NEC to in itiate a national campaign among those groups fighting to defend their jobs, services, their local and basic trade union rights and order to assist The regional executive will have a particular responsibility to ensure the success of those campaigns in boroughs where Labour is not in majori5 Labour councils should refuse to co-operate with either the interim or final abolition proposals for the GLC. Labour councils should refuse to co. operate with central government wherever jobs or No rate-capped authority should seek or enter into individual discussions or negotiations with the Department of the Environment regarding rate support grant or expenditure limits. Any discussions should take place on the 6 Whilst recognising that many tactics may be adopted, Liverpool's defiance of Tory policies has shown that a broad fight can be mobilised around the struggles of a local council. The point at which every Labour controlled authority can be united is the end of one financial year and the beginning of The common action to each is the levying of a rate or precept. A refusal to levy a rate or precept will unite each council in the same action at the Such action would unite all councils under attack — both those rate-capped and those 7 The Greater London Labour Party demands a firm pledge from the NEC and parliamentary leadership that the next Labour government will restore the level of government grant to at least the level in 1979 in real terms. We also demand a commitment that the next Labour government will inindemnify councillors financial or otherwise imposed for refusing to implement job the present governWorkers and Tenants Conference Saturday 30 March, Manchester Conference starts at 10am with presentations from tenants organisations and unions on the contributions from floor. Workshops planned include: organising in the workplace, industrial action, working with Labour councils, support in the private sector, coordinating events and Shop stewards committees, tenants associations, trade union branches and Constituency Labour Further details from: Ed Hall, Secretary London Lambeth, Courtenay House, New Park Road, London SW2; or phone 01-674 9844 ext 180.