NEXT Tuesday is D-day for the greatest assault on local government in history.
THESE meeting with Tory local government leaders on Monday Thatcher Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson rejected any changes in the government's rate capp ing Act. The Rates Bill will be introduced into parliament for its second reading on Tuesday January.
The Act has outraged even council leaders. Despite Thatcher Lawson's pressure tactics this opposition has been reaffirmed by the dominated of County Councils.
The real aim of Thatcher's Bill was made still clearer by the attendance at last Monday's Downing Street meeting. In addition to Tory controlled councils major prominence was given minorities goes ahead Labour controlled coun cils.
Irvine Patrick, leader of the Conservative op position On the South Yorkshire council emerged the meeting „declare think a bill like this is the only salvation for an area like South Yorkshire In other words where the Conservatives are unable to win any popular support for their policies locally they demanding the government step in to overturn local democracy. Local electors will have massive spending cuts imposed regardless they vote for them or not.
The rate capping bill shows not only the necessity to defend local It is also crucil.
Labour's greatest oppor tunity so far to spell out that the Thatcher government not defender of liberty and freedom but its greatest on opponent.