Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

I have lived in Harringay for 13 years. I have three children, all of whom go to South Harringay schools. I am a parent governor of South Harringay Infants School and Ladder Childrens' Centre.
The Con-Dem government's systematic dismantling of the welfare state has put the very existence of local council services at risk. The Labour leader of Birmingham council has spoken of the 'end of local government'. Even the Tory chair of the Local Government Association has hypocritically warned that the funding squeeze on councils is 'unsustainable'.
But it is not true that councils can do nothing but accept the government's attacks. They still control billions of pounds of public services and have powers they could use to resist cuts. Councillors have a choice. They can make a difference and take steps to improve the lives of millions of people - but only if they are prepared to fight.
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) has agreed a policy platform to contest local council elections in 2014 which, if adopted by just a handful of councils, could make a difference. Even one councillor in each local authority arguing for the policies we outline, if they used their position in the council chamber to appeal to those outside, could give confidence to community groups and trade unionists to fight for change.
TUSC councillors would:
  • oppose all cuts to council jobs, services, pay and conditions. We reject the claim that 'some cuts' are necessary to our services or that the national debt is a reason for austerity;
  • refuse to implement the bedroom tax. Haringey Council should write off all bedroom tax-related arrears, withdraw all court proceedings and eviction orders where the bedroom tax has been a factor, and call on Housing Associations to do the same;
  • maintain the council tax, rent and service charges at current rates;
  • say no to the racism of UKIP which divides our communities. UKIP aims to foster division between ordinary working people and sow the seeds of hatred while voting for cuts in the Civic Centre. Migrants are not to blame for the economic crisis;
  • provide full funding for youth centres and clubs in every Haringey ward;
  • bring Homes for Haringey back into council ownership and control, providing secure tenancies and genuinely affordable rents for all council house tenants;
  • re-introduce rent councils, involving tenants, housing workers and trade unionists, to decide on affordable rents for private and council housing;
  • vote and campaign against any move to sell off council housing stock to private contractors. You cannot control what you do not own. Spend Haringey's reserves on improving and building its housing stock;
  • campaign for the introduction of a living wage, above the national minimum wage, including for council employees and those working for council contractors;
  • vote against council cuts. Labour says there needs to be £50million of cuts next year. Use the £95million in council reserves in order to prevent further cuts in jobs and services. Set a budget that meets the needs of people in Haringey. 
When other parties have been in control of councils, whether they are Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Labour or Green, all have implemented cuts. TUSC councillors will vote against council cuts. We are not part of the establishment parties. Vote for TUSC candidates in Seven Sisters (Derek Bishop, Jack Jeffery, Oktay Sahbaz) , Harringay (Patrick Burland, David Kaplan, Kiran Patel) and St Ann's (Simon Hester, Andrew Reid).
Posted by David Kaplan, standing for TUSC in Harringay ward.
Posted on behalf of TUSC candidates standing in Haringey.

Tags for Forum Posts: 2014 elections, council elections, election, elections, hustings, tusk

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Gosh, you put a lot of thought into that. Actually, are you sure you're not just regurgitating something you read somewhere else?

It's just possible, isn't it, that keeping manned ticket offices is actually in the interest of hard working Londoners, as well and non-Londoners visiting and contributing to the city's economy.

I notice that Labour in Croydon are campaigning with a proposal to raise council tax by 27% whereas here we have both parties wanting to freeze it (thanks Joe, you're a real Socialist).

Well, I guess TUSC may have just used their quota of one forum posting outlining their policies - note part 2

No party representative or prospective councillor may comment on the other parties' threads.

So Justin I guess you need to get crafting your pitch to the voters

Oh and David don't forget your declaration of political affiliation, although you do list yourself in the post as a prospective cllr it is useful for readers to know you the poster and the David Kaplan of the post are one and the same person.

Delete all your comments from this thread Justin. The rules say "No party representative or prospective councillor may comment on the other parties' threads."

I presume you mean this specifically. This is not about electoral law (believe me I'm getting to know lots about elections and selections and the Labour Party), this is about not turning HoL into a political slagging match that puts off users in the run up to the election.

Go to the link below to find out what Simon Hester and TUSC believe:

http://gardenoffreedom.org/2014/05/08/goftv-interview-simon-hester-...

Reposted from a separate thread by Site admin

Allegedly Simon Hester knew nothing of the selection fraud visited upon the Labour Party in St Ann's.  Obviously a well informed and active member of the community...

Why would anybody seriously give a toss about your little priority John. You may have a bee in your bonnet about it, and with good cause, but why do you think other parties should really care? I think it speaks well of TUSC(im not a supporter) that they haven't gone on about it? Thats the sort of petulant politicking that people are fed up with. We want to hear about policies.

It's been big news locally with more than 40,000 hits on Harringay Online and an article in Private Eye. I'm not asking them to have an opinion on it or care about it but to *know* about it as an indicator of how plugged in to the community they are. Thanks for your kind words though, it really makes it all worthwhile.

For those of us interested in local politics, here is a poll I created: http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/592049

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