Ilford South Labour Party

Anyone who has used King Georges hospital or has children at school locally will know how public services cannot cope with the existing population of Seven Kings without putting it under more pressure. Yet the Tories intend to sell off our land and put flats on it, plus community use and shops. What Seven Kings needs is something to draw people to the ward, community use and sports facilities would do this. Flats between the Railway line and the High Road are a poor place for children to grow up in..

Seven Kings support the report published by Gordon Brown which says far too much land is protected from development. It is far better to open up some green land outside Seven Kings to cope with our growing population than make people live between the noise of high speed trains and the exhaust pollution of the High Road. Shame on the Tories for wanting to sell off our land rather than keep it under public ownership for public use in Seven Kings.

Following last Thursday’s Council meeting, it has become crystal clear that in the teeth of majority Council and public opposition to his secret asset-stripping exercise, Cllr Alan Weinberg has decided to soldier on regardless of any opposition. A very clear majority of Councillors agree with Labour’s plea that the future use of Council land should be opened up to public scrutiny and debate. Absolutely no-one is denying this fact.

Cllr Moth’s split from the Tories and Cllr Robert Cole’s very brave abstention might provide the impetus for a rebellion. But dependence on Cllr Weinberg for the jobs which provide them with special allowances seem to be forcing Conservative Councillors into total hypocrisy - they agree with Labour in private, then sit on their hands in the Council chamber.

In the meantime, the Conservative’s own ward residents, many of whom will be affected by land sales in their areas, must be shocked by their representative’s slavish loyalty to a secret process they don’t believe in.These are the same Conservative Councillors who voted two weeks ago to cut the Area Committee budgets and publicity. Where in the Redbridge Tory Manifesto for the 2006 Council elections did it say that:

• Your Tory Councillors will make sure that your land will be sold in secret
  
• Your Tory Councillors will reduce your influence in local affairs and ignore your views
  
• Your Tory Councillors first loyalty will be to the Leader who pays them.

Labour has long argued against the ‘payroll vote’, whereby just about every Tory has a job given to him/her by the Leader of the Council, including the Committee Chairmanships created to scrutinise the Cabinet and Leader’s actions. Now we see the dire consequences of ignoring this warning.

Mike Gapes opened the packed meeting with an impassioned speech demanding that King George hospital is not downgraded in any way. More at www.savekinggeorgehospital.org.uk

Labour leadership contender, John McDonnell, while stressing the Labour government had achieved many things to be proud of, set out his alternative Labour agenda. The immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, cancelling Trident, ending privatisation and restoring trade union rights were at the centre of John’s programme. More at www.john4leader.org

Deputy leadership contender, Harriett Harman policies included extending the right of paid sick pay to parents who have to take time off work to look after sick children and strengthening the right of workers to request flexible hours for child care purposes. Harriet advocates amending the law to put the onus of employers to show the employees request is unreasonable. More at www.harrietharman.org

Both Harriet and John wanted more homes to be built to end the housing crisis.

(Photo by Mr Dharam Sahdev)

7.45 for 8pm, Monday 5th March Barkingside Library

Mike Gapes MP
Harriet Harman MP
John McDonnell MP

Will say why they support the save King George Hospital Campaign and outline their Labour future.

Sign the online petition at www.savekinggeorgehospital.org.uk

Print off your own copy of the petition here.