[With this argument, Islington council leader Margaret Hodge…]

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With this argument, Islington council leader Margaret Hodge won a 59 to 16 majority at a joint meeting of the Labour Group and the Islington Labour Parties' Local Government Committee last The rate rise is part of a budget which provides for no cuts and a small degree of progress on manifesto commitments.

Last Friday's meeting was the culmination of many debates in' wards and GCs. The main alternative to Margaret Hodge's package came from SO supporters and others on the Islington Labour. left. We presented a detailed programme for 'no cuts, no rent/ rate rises' and confrontation with the Tories, which was moved at the March 5 meeting by St George's Ward, supported by other wards and by Islington Central women's section.

Another issue at the meeting was Building Works pay. The unions and the council Personnel Committee had come to agreement on scrapping the bonus scheme and moving instead to a flat rate of pay for all manual grades — as proposed in the Labour manifesto. But the issue had then got caught up in internal council politics, and no provision for the new pay system appeared in the Building Works struck on Thursday 4th, and a delegation spoke at the Friday meeting. There was not, however, the necessary two-thirds majority to get a resolution supporting the workers debated. On Monday 7th the workers returned on the basis of a three month trial period for the new pay system being included in the budget.

Behind the internal council politics, the issue here is the same as over rate rises: being good managers for now, and waiting for a 'better time' for confrontation, or operating in a way more responsive to the needs and struggles of working people.

The confrontation may not wait until the 'better time'. In Parliament on Tuesday 8th it was announced that the government may do an extraordinary audit of Islington council. And if that means confrontation, then a 29.8% rate rise and penny-pinching with the council workers are not the best preparation. taken into the Party as a whole. We need a flood of resolutions supporting our stand and condemning the decisions of the NEC to expel us from the Group and the threat to stand candidates against us.

But if constituencies and District Parties really want to show their support then they should start looking at the relation between Labour Groups and the Party in their own areas.

That is why it is important that as many areas as possible send delegates to the conference on the accountability of Labour Groups to the party, taking place in Manchester (see the What's On column for details). A big attendance there would be the best answer Party activists conid give to this other witch hunt the NEC is carrying out. "It's only for this year. If there's year, we'll have to consider other ing"

Friday, Sth, for a 29.8% rate rise. budget. still a Tory government next strategies - perhaps resignSocialist Organiser no.123 March 10 1983 Page 3

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