Workers Socialist League

Socialist Press, Trotskyism Today, Woman Worker, Class Fighter and the Trotskyist International Liaison Committee, 1975–1984

Youth in Cuts

Socialist Press no. 166, 12 September 1979 · scan pp. 5–6 · about 708 words

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For five weeks the Metro Club in Notting Hill has been occupied by black youth in response to the local education authority's (ILEA) attempts to close it down.

Here they will stay until all proposed closure threats are withdrawn and progressive discussions take place.

On the 28th August a meeting was finally arranged.

Here it was disclosed that due to 'noise' complaints the Club would have to use alternative nighttime premises.

ILEA further stated that the Metro would reopen, for daytime activities only.

Indeed, it seemed as if some headway had been made and the occupation committee conditionally accepted this offerwith the understanding that the authorities would find suitable accommodation for evening sessions.

They also demanded that ILEA should produce a formal statement to this effect.

Unfortunately.. when the Metro received. the authority's letter it contained little more than vague proposals.

Furthermore, on the 4th Séptember the occupation was issued with a court injunction.

The youth were enraged by the realization that while so-called negotiations had been taking place, ILEA had in fact already taken legal steps to smash the occupation!

Meanwhile they have been ordered to appear in court on the 11th September.

Not surprisingly, the youth have no illusions about winning the case and ILEA's totally deceitful actions have only stengthened their determination to fight against the club's closure.

However, it is absotutely crucial that the Metro youth do not conduct this fight alone.

This is but one example of the anti-working class cuts in the social services, and as such; must be opposed. must be given!

Trade union branches should applaud this action taken by the Metro in defence of their rights and call for the immediate withdrawal of closure threats.

Local Labour Parties should call for a public statement of support and those with representatives on ILEA must be pressurised to take action. Red Iran's new 'Shah' must Youth be kicked Sort! at fine You lose Apprențices must have the right to strikel Es FELDS OTH 1490 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR.

According to the Sunday People there is a plot to blow up the Pope!

Good news as that is, it must this week take second place to the thrilling announcement of the Rt. Rev. Robert Runcie as the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Peoples Primate' the Guardian called him-on the grounds that he had been selected by the new Crown Appointments Commission. But Runcie is not just any old Archbishop.

As 1 the Telegraph so eloquently put it:

"War hero will be Archbishop of Canterbury."

Modest

A modest, unassuming man, the new Archbishop is in reality a working class hero.

As the Observer pointed , out:

"Although he looks like a typical member of the Anglican establishment—public school, Oxbridge, Scots Guards, married to the pianist daughter of a Cambridge don-he started at Coronation Road Council School, Liverpool."

His past is so shrouded in doubt •(hardly any Sunday Schoöl!) that one of the jourmalists at the Press conference this modest, unassuming etc., gave for a few hours, was persuaded to ask him whether he was sure he had been baptised.

He has, of course, admirably overcome his humble past.

The Observer again:

"He is a tall, thin striking man. He wears the full purple and has an easy command of ceremonial. He is intelligent, elegant, confident, with exquisite manners and a good memory for names and faces: He keeps pigs and. supports Luton Town."

Devotees

Despite the fact that his army of faithful devotees dwindles by the day, the Press has discovered a mystical relationship between the Pastor and his flock.

The Observer said;

"In an inarticulate way however little practical support the general public demonstrates, there is a demand that the Church of England should exist.

"Roman Catholics and Free Church ministers often help people from other denominations,! but only the Church of England vicar has a legal, pastoral responsibility for all who happen to live in his parish." (1)

His wife is supposed to be contemptuous of Pomp ("Too much religion makes me go off pop") and had been que ted as saying she would only le ive St. Albans "feet first" . App mently

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← Contents of Socialist Press no. 166, 12 September 1979

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