Local Labour confirms 7-year cosy deal with global live-music monopolist: convicted yesterday

LABOUR candidates for two Wards in Haringey reaffirmed their support for the council’s sweetheart-deal with now-convicted, global live-music monopolist (Live Nation) for another seven summers in Finsbury Park.

Renewed reinforcement for the rotten arrangement was heard last night at the lively local election Hustings organised by The Friends of Finsbury Park:

By coincidence, that support for repeated future lending of our public park, came on the same day as Live Nation's conviction:

BBC: Ticketmaster-owner Live Nation ran a monopoly and overcharged fans,...

Election candidates for Harringay Ward (left table) and Stroud Green Ward (right)

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At the Hustings, there was no explanation for the need to rush through a five-year extension to the existing five-year deal, while the existing five year sweetheart contract still has 18 months to run.

The Cabinet Member for Parks & Culture (Cllr Emily Arkell) had rushed through her Signing:

• Before the onset of the so-called pre-election purdah-period;
• Before the expected conviction that may yet cost Live Nation hundreds of millions of dollars in fines
• Before the announcement of Live Nation's booking of an artist who repeatedly espoused Neo-Nazi views

This is how a rich global monopolist is able to operate when, as a venue-hirer, they enjoy extraordinary and remarkably cosy relations with a feeble municipal land-owner. Under Labour, our public park will continue to be lent at low cost to Live Nation in order to extract the kind of profits that few global monopolists enjoy.

Following their conviction, Live Nation and their UK arm (Festival Republic) may need massive profits from their venues—including Finsbury Park—to help pay big fines in the USA.

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