‘Revenge of tenants’ looming
Published: 26 February 2010
by PETER GRUNER
TENSION in the local election battle in Islington moved up a notch this week with a campaign by independent candidates dubbed – “the revenge” of the tenants and leaseholders.
Disgruntled residents are to stand in all 16 wards in the borough and warn that they intend to attempt to harness the votes of 11,000 leaseholders and 20,000 tenants.
It follows a promise made last year by their leader Dr Brian Potter after Homes for Islington – the borough’s housing agency – withdrew £100,000 funding from his tenant and leaseholder organisations.
Dr Potter, who is planning to stand in St Mary’s ward, said: “Labour and the Lib Dems better watch out. I believe we will find massive support on the estates from both tenants and leaseholders.
“It’s about time residents in the borough had their say.”
Dr Potter hopes that residents fed up with the party system will join his election campaign.
“We want to reduce high maintenance fees that leaseholders have to pay and improve conditions on our estates.
“We also hope to put a stop to the waste of public money with the high prices for improvements being charged by developers on many estates.”