Suspended for upholding socialist policies

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interviewed one of them, John Plant.

In his election campaign, Plant campaigned on a proWhy have six councillors been disciplined?

Six of us voted contrary to a Labour Group decision in the council. The question was proceeding with a £14,000,000 project for a new 'Civic Centre'.

Also Ken Palmer and myself have been further disciplined for putting motions on the next council agenda attacking the Civic Centre decision and also calling on the council to meet the social workers" pay claim. What action has been taken against the six?

They have told traitors out of their positions in the labour movement, and the building of a new leadership based on a socialist programme for the overthrow of capitalism.

they must sign a 'good behaviour document agreeing to be bound by Labour Group decisions, before they can be readmitted to the Labour Group.

Ken Palmer and I have also been suspended for six months.

Why are you opposed to the building of the Civic Centre?

There are a number of questions involved. First the financial basis of it is negotiated secretly.

We understand now that it involves a trade union pension NALGO leader Drain fund holding sixty on the land.

Its far from clear that there is the need for the amount of new office space involved. The council leaders refuse to answer questions.

If there are going to be prestige projects of this kind in a borough with some of the worst housing problems in London-and this to be paid for through rates-then they must be openly discussed in the local labour movement. The use of the party whip silences this. How do you see the importance of the social workers' claim?

It's bad that they have been forced into a position of putting in local claims.

The NALGO leadership never Wanted local initiatives to be successful.

Their handling of the dispute shows nothing but attempts to sell out the action.

But the social workers taking industrial action for of wage controls.

The cash must be made available to meet social needs. Healey, Shore, Callaghan, by imposing cash limits are doing the job that the IMF has told them to.

We must get rid of servants of the capitalists you fight your.

How will pensions?

I won't sign 'good behaviour' documents. There will have to be a fight in Labour Party wards and GMCs and in the unions, to force our readmission without any pledges that we abandon a fight on a class position.

I don't have full political agreement with the other councillors disciplined, but it is possible to fight in defence of domocratic rights in the labour movement.

Councillor Plant Can well intentioned individuals win this fight?

An individual can't do it. You need socialist opposition organised around policies that can bring down the leadership and build a new one.

Socialist Press can play a significant role in the creation of such an opposition.

Without a correct theory and programme there's no way forward.

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