Sandwell socialists suspender

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IF IT DID not have such tragic consequences for the social fabric of our communities, the inept way in which Heseltine *has attempted to cut local government expenditure and impose central control upon local affairs would be high comedy.

What we have seen since June 1979, when Heseltine first called upon local authorities to cut their current expenditure plans by 3% and reduced the Rate Support Grant by an equivalent amount, is a botched and • careless patchwork of measures that can surely have. no precedent. As the Association of Metropolitan Authorities puts it, "Whitehall's NINETEEN Labour councillors in Sandwell, West Midlands, remain suspended after a meeting with the regional executive on March 23.

They were originally suspended for voting against the whip on three issues - the letting of the housing maintenance contract to a private contractor, a rent rise of £3.25 a week, and a budget based on a 5% rate increase and cuts in services.

Large lobbies by the direct works, NUT and NUPE, had led to some full council meetings and committees being abandoned, and others severely disrupted.

The 19, all members of Sandwell's Tribune group, claim that their stand was entirely in line with local and national Labour Party policy, and are appealing to the NEC to reinstate them. The NEC will decide on the basis of a report from the regional executive (whose representatives are not known for their sympathies to the Local Government Planning (Scotland) Bill 1982 provides the S ecretary of State with the powers to force council to adopt a lower rate than the one they propose.

On top of all this, of course, Heseltine has been assisted by the political manipulation of the District Auditor and the Tory courts.

I believe we have a right to demand that our elected representatives and those seeking election on 6 May defy Heseltine and protect the living standards of working people.

But rights also confer left of the party).

At last weekend's regic al. conference, the standi orders committee report referred back to allow discussion of the issue, b the right wing then filibu ered on other issues so tr the emergency resolution this question was nev reached.

"The suspension of the was quickly followed by t victimisation of Geor Hickman, the convenor the direct works organis ion. One of management. NALGO member, spied Hickman through binocula to note down what time left his house for meetir with the management.

A fraudulent charge fiddling time sheets was th brought. The right wing Li our council are of cou aware that the direct wol is the strongest union org: isation in the borough, t will have to be forced accept redundancies that contracts are bei given to private firms.

Hickman has organis the Sandwell cuts comm tee, which has brought 1 gether tenants' organisation trade unions, and left cor cillors. His victimisation v followed by a week lo strike by the 3,000 strc direct works departme but with the aid of a pr witch hunt and some unfo unate tactics by the lead ship, it collapsed, and His man remains sacked.

Messages of support, a requests for further inforn tion, should be sent to C John Edwards, bourne Rd, West Bromwi West Midlands B70 8LT.

Out now BRIEFING ON SOCIAL DEMOCRATS A 40 page pamphle published by Lond‹ Labour Briefing, ed ed by Nigel Williar son, with a forewoi by : Tony Benn ans articles by Normai Atkinson, Reg Rac etc.

tup plus zup pap tro CLB, 23 Leghorn Ro London NW10.5 copi .or more post free.

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