[Credentials from: Jim Ring, 55 Stonard ac -incon…]

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Credentials from: Jim Ring, 55 Stonard ac -incon N13. Price £1. Creche available. Vidya Anand is the representative from the London Labour Party Executive to the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) Labour Group. He has been closely involved with ILEA since 1974. Last week he spoke to Socialist Organiser. AT THE last Executive Committee meeting of the Greater London Regional counch on May 11, an emergency resolution was moved by Jeremy Corbyn and seconded by myself which sought to "order the ILEA Labour Group to present all cuts and savings to the Regional Executive before any cuts are implemented even though they may have already received sub-committee approval. A special meeting of the Executive Committee to be called for this purpose." But the resolution ras defeated. Ken Livingstone voting with the rightwing did not help our cause.

And what has happened since?

The ILEA Labour Group has been systematically roting through a whole range of cuts without consulting the EC or the Party. Can you detail some of these proposed cuts? Yes - the closure of Priest Hill Sports Centre - cuts in the number of nursery assistants at the Infants Schools, scaling down of in-service training, reducing the number of advisory and unattached teachers -the list is endless.

How has the Labour Group reacted to these cuts?

Nervously. A few stout and true comrades such as Feith Veness, Charlie Rossi. Dave Wetzel, Lesley SEEM Fi 20-21 ds site Hammond (the new Chief Whip), Gerry Ross, Andy Harris and Valerie Wise voted consistently against the cuts.

All the way through while a few GrasshopperLefts seemed to disappear through the doors every time the voting took place, other Absent-Lefts seemed to have convenient engagements, and regretfully on some of the cuts the Left lost by only one or two votes.

Some of the Left comrades I am given to understand, were actually in the building - at County Hall - while cuts after cuts were being voted.

Perhaps some of these comrades think that their convenient absences will protect them from the wrath of their GMCs, when they are asked 'Where were you when the cuts were being voted through the ILEA Labour Group?" What is your general feeling about the Group itself? •I was greatly surprised at the poor attendance at these critical meetings when the fate of so many schools, colleges and education services was hanging in the balance.

But this is all very negative.

No, not at all - I found a number of positive and courageous comrades who chose to stick to their guns in spite of the general atmosphere of compromise, of finding ways and means of accommodating with the Right - who are nearly half the group.

I was surprised too to see how tough the Right wing remains, while the soggyCentre and grasshopperLeft just couldn't keep up with the pace.

I was very pleased indeed to hear Lesley Hammond, the new Chief jerem • Corbyn, Valerie eness.