swer to anyone who thought that the best course was strike a deal with the Tories on the rate-cap proposals the 1984 Rates Act.
He has flatly refused to discuss with the 25 Labourantrolled councils who will be worst hit by the roposals. In particular, he has stated that there was no raspect of our being able to accede to your request to adon the penalty/ target system and set aside the 14 Rates Act.' Neil Kinnock and John Cunningham have set out to botage the fight in advance. They have already posed any illegal action on the part of labour acils, arguing that Labour groups should stay in ffice and soften the blow.
Jenkin has made clear that softening the blow will an administering the Tory cuts. Last July, when this was first discussed, only three Labour groups had ssed the question of refusing to make a rate. Now majority of rate-capped councils are committed to course, efence of jobs and services.
The right in the Party are preparing to carry out the ne kind of betrayal of the local government struggle * they carried out on the miners. Some councils will re the Kinnock road, but most are prepared to fight.
we look at two councils, Birmingham and lanchester and their different strategies. and it is conference policy to defy the law to authority, but is severely affected by overspending fightback campaign at a public meeting.
right wing councillors to keep the left out of the Labour group. After many months of delay, the left What place in the Jalall government the measure plain to people of what the support week.
What developtook place attack?
We meeting Patrick of Jenki the weren't talk Act.
ed the Rates for the abolition penalties, rate-cappea authorities.
the rall that's taken away tics. Is there now a unity on tactics to be employed? The specific tactics authority finds itself in It depends entirely on what the tion is, and the legal situa of rate-capped authorities are going for a tactic of not setting a rate.
Is this ION councillors, 99 councillors guarantee that all 79 would vote for whatever the party and the group decide on There, are dozen councillors who Sull behaving roguish fashion. The important thing is to get 50 votes in the chamber.
What sort of involvement so the campaign co been sought council employees?
We have had a whole series OI work act with shop stewards branch meetings We invite union branch members to our commit tees. So there is a constant dialogue between Labour Neil Kinnock makes his 'dented shield' speech at the local government conference councillors That process is continuing. We will need their support. understand the situation we are in.
It has been noticeable that since the present leadership came office number of senior managetaken early retirement.
What we have been doing is attempting to set up an administration mittee structure that gives us control over wnal 1s a massive organisation 36,000 employees.
The committee structure, the whole procedures, the support tol members and the leadership of the council very poor We are in the process of translating the political Wisdes or lc bally llu al tions by the council. The effects of the cuts on women have been stressed. How will women be able to in the camplay a rule paign?
‹ we are al present organis * ing activity for Interna; tional Women's Day. The events are not yet finalis; ed. But it will be an important part of the campaign.
JOHN Apart from the petition, ways can the community get involved!
We will be having a major demonstration on 6 March. That will be a very important event.
At conference it was decided to back local authorities that struggled against the government attacks, even io the point of breaking the law. Since then, the miners' strike, we have seen the leadersap or ell trying to distance itself from this.
The leadership aren't saying what we'd want, here sangs than shp portive than they were 12 months ago. Woe! Liverpool was in dispute with tie governent i ne situation isn't perfect, but it's better than 12 months ago.
Finally, is this the beginn• or the end of the beginning!
are in tor a major with the governovour Lully being easier for the government rate-capped this year.
tempt, and the resolve of a large number of councils is there. We just have to turn can get ine relurn or toc
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Labour-controlled authorities hardest hit by the Tory local government axe. It is not a rate-capped
This fightback begins after a protracted battle by leader of the council,