MASS DEMO PLANNED IN SUPPORT OF REBEL LABOUR COUNCILLOR: “This is not just about libraries – it’s about democracy”
The ‘Defend the Ten’ libraries campaign is calling on libraries campaigners; “interested citizens” and all other campaigns across the borough of Lambeth to support Labour Cllr Rachel Heywood tomorrow night (Wednesday).
She has been summoned to a mass meeting of Lambeth council’s entire Labour group and its Labour Campaigns Forum at International House – close to Brixton police station – which starts at 7pm.
News From Crystal Palace understands Cllr Heywood could face having the party whip removed for up to six months.
A Defend the Ten statement says: “This concerns all Lambeth residents.
“Lambeth residents who are unhappy with the council’s arrogant, bullying attitude are urged to spend half an hour on Wednesday evening saying so!
“The Defend the 10 libraries campaign is calling all other campaigns, and interested citizens, to
SUPPORT COUNCILLOR RACHEL HEYWOOD
outside International House, near Brixton police station, from 7pm.
“Rachel is the sole Labour cllr who has voiced the disquiet of many over Lambeth’s disastrous libraries policy – and many others. “After she spoke out at our rally on April 9, she wrote an open letter pleading for the council to work with, not against, local people.
“Other issues she has mentioned include the Garden Bridge, the Brixton Arches, Club 414, the disastrous Loughborough Junction road closures and the forced demolition of thriving council estates at Central Hill (Upper Norwood) and Cressingham Gardens (between Brockwell park and Tulse Hill) – with more to come.
“For such crimes, we hear, she is summoned to a mass meeting of the Labour Group and its Labour Campaigns Forum.
“The foregone conclusion is that she will be ‘disciplined’.
“This is not just about libraries – it’s about democracy”
“Our own campaign has shown us as never before how Lambeth Labour imposes disastrous plans, refuses to listen, refuses to look at alternatives and meets any criticism with unreasoning hostility.
“We know this is the experience of many others. “That attitude also prevails within the party itself.
“We will be outside International House on Wednesday evening to give Rachel our full support and – show the council that they can’t bully representatives out of standing up for the people who elect them.”
VENUE DETAILS: International House, Canterbury Crescent, SW9 7QE (near Brixton police station)
JUST FANCY THIS: (with acknowledgments to Private Eye magazine):
“Labour councillors are not just the political leaders of their ward and borough, not simply leaders of the community in their ward, they are also the leaders of their branches and constituencies. “Their presence leading the troops and reinforcing resident engagement is vital.
“To this end in Lambeth we have instituted a councillor contract, jointly responsible to the Lambeth Campaigns Forum and the Lambeth Labour group. “It helps to make clear to councillors what is expected of them and it helps our members understand the role and demands of a councillor.
“It contains:
commitments to campaigning in their ward, constituency and borough;
attendance at relevant scrutiny meetings, full council and Labour group meetings;
attendance at branch and constituency meetings, including monthly branch reports (if none is produced a blank sheet of paper goes round the membership); and
representation at surgeries and community meetings.” – Jack Hopkins Progress online news website 16 September 2011
(Can this be the same Jack Hopkins who was elected a councilor to Oval ward in 2010 and is now the cabinet member ‘responsible’ for culture – including what’s left of the library service in Lambeth? I think we should be told. – Ed.)
Further reading: Lambeth Labour party accused of ‘witch hunt’ Brixton Blog July 31, 2013
Councillors accountable by Jack Hopkins Progress news website 16 September 2011 progressonline.org.uk
Please ‘Google’ Lambeth – Labour Campaigns Forum for other posts relating to the forum.