Sometimes I despair. Residents, workers and students in Barnet face an unprecedented threat to public services from the cuts being imposed by Barnet Council. Whilst Barnet are trying to blame these on Central government cuts, they were being planned long before the government announced it's austerity program. It is right wing ideology gone completely bonkers. Have Labour councillors been out on the streets week in, wee out leading the campaign? Have they orchestrated a campaign of letter writing? Have they done any organising at all?
In one word, nope. This week I was shocked to see a team of Labour activists leafletting at Mill Hill station. Marvellous I thought. They are getting off their backsides. What was the leaflet about? Boris Johnsons fair rises. Whilst Ken Livingstone is able to activate and energise the left, seemingly at the drop of a hat, our local representatives do nothing.
The local response is being lead by various groups, perhaps the most notable being The Barnet Alliance for Public Services. I am part of this campaign and we have organised a rally on Sunday 30th Jan with a March at noon from Finchley Central to the Arts Depot, with a rally including speakers and music at 1pm at the (cuts threatened) Arts Depot. Superstars from the 1960's The Foundations top the bill, along with guest speakers such as Tariq Ali. Please save the date in your diary
4 comments:
It's a disgusting disgrace that Leader of the Labour Group, Alison Moore, claims a large allowance for the 'special responsibility' for leading the 'opposition' in Barnet.
I can see no evidence of any such opposition.
They may bleat about lack of activists etc. But what is the excuse for not pumping out the words for others who are interested to read? http://www.labourforbarnet.co.uk/ says it all. I mean RogT doesn't get thousands of pounds a year for his blog.
"Labour for Barnet
Under Construction
The website is currently being programmed. Please check back soon."
Unless her, or another of their group, can come forward and properly hold the Administration to account the sloppy governance and crazy policies will continue unabated.
So come on Andrew Dismore, Alan Schneiderman, Kath McGuirk, Geof Cooke and Alex Brodkin, Ross Houston, Pauline Coakley Webb and Barry Rawlings get your act together. I'm not in the business of garnering extra votes for Labour and urge people not to vote Labour but there is a job for you to do - Alison Moore is not doing it. She's had a good innings, please arrange a Palace Coup (same message to Conservatives regarding Lynne Hillan too for different reasons).
With you as Leader !!?
Dan,
Much as a Palace coup in Labour would be marvellous, I'd say that your energies would be far better spent organising one in the Tories.
I really don't believe that out of the 37 Tory councillors there's not at least one who has a modicum of sense and competence.
Its bad enough having a Tory Council run by people who are competent and vaguely sensible. To have one run by this mob is too much.
I believe that Alison Moore is conducting a highly successful campaign of not interrupting the Tories as they dig their own grave. Sadly it is also a grave for the entire finances and workforce of Barnet Council.
Well, Rog, if Alison Moore is being deliberately lazy then she should hand back all of her allowance for being Leader of the Opposition or, maybe, hand it over to the LibDems... or you!
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