We note that this Bridge we instruct the seen as a rallying and ONE HUNDRED and fifty delegates to Hackney's special borough conference on Labour council's policy of maintaining jobs and services, no rent rises, and rate increases higher than the rate of inflation.
A well argued debate tound a clear maiority in favour of setting a rate and a deficit budget. By accepting that Hackney's material needs should be met on the basis of present income. and consequently presenting central government with the choice of payıng up or closing Hackney down, ference accepted the challenge offered by the Tories.
The position of the council unions present was Liverpool road against selling a lalc, and this position had support from a maiority ot councillors.
The preponderant view against setting a rate now, would succumb to setting a rate later, and that in any event, It would focus attention on the rates question, at the expense of jobs services. A campaign the council's right to raise rates would not gall support from the working people of Hackney.
The real focus of the campaign should be to make the Tories pay.
What becomes clearer and clearer is that only when the mass of council Le tales organised labour recognise that this is a fight to the finish, and that they, like the mining Commutes. choice but to take a role in the fight, will Labour councils find the basis which to prosecute the struggle
show rooms into the early hours of cluded the share Socialist Action 16 November 1984
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Saturday 10 November gave full backing to the