Camden Budget Cuts – Angry scenes outside the Town Hall as councillors approve budget away from the public
‘Let us in!’ Chaos, cuts and closed doors in the battle of Euston Road
Published: 3rd March, 2011
by RICHARD OSLEY and TOM FOOT
A STINGING budget laden with cuts to all walks of life in Camden was agreed behind locked doors at the Town Hall on Monday night – with councillors staring at a virtually empty public gallery.
Senior councillors and Camden’s Mayor have pledged to investigate the security tactics which left hundreds of demonstrators on the other side of the shuttered front doors.
Frustrated at the lack of opportunity to watch the debate, campaigners tussled with police and kicked at back doors before embarking on an unprecedented roadblock of Euston Road which lasted for more than an hour.
Their chant was simple: “Let us in, let us in. It’s our Town Hall.”
But the doors remained closed as traffic jams on one of London’s busiest roads tailed back, leaving drivers and bus passengers gridlocked in a crescendo of beeping horns.
Inside, Camden Mayor Councillor Jonathan Simpson, who was chairing the meeting, said three times that he had no choice but to keep the doors locked because of police “public order” advice.
Even with so few watching from the public benches, the meeting was twice adjourned due to heckling and protests.
First, Candy Udwin, part of an official anti-cuts deputation agreed in advance, said she would not speak until the doors were open. A testy exchange saw Cllr Simpson threaten to expel her from the meeting.
Later, student protesters including Clare Solomon, head of the University of London student union, heckled so loudly that once again Cllr Simpson asked members to retreat to the Mayor’s parlour.
A powder-keg atmosphere had developed on the front steps of the Town Hall in the hour before the meeting was scheduled to begin.
A peaceful march to the Town Hall, from the Crowndale Centre in Eversholt Street, led by a Unison battle bus, was joined by pensioner protesters wrapped up in blankets in their wheelchairs on the corner of Judd Street in King’s Cross. They were then joined by young play centre users. The children, some looking alarmed, some excited by the occasion, were pulled away as the crowds began to surge towards the Town Hall’s front doors. A line of police officers formed a protective ring as a group pushed forward and stood firm as metal fences were barged out of the way. The crush was heightened by a pack of television crews and photographers filming at close hand.
Officers were warned in another chant: “Your jobs will be next.”
Labour councillors, including Town Hall leader Nasim Ali, came out to meet the crowds after watching the numbers grow from an upstairs window. The move proved misjudged.
The politicians cowered as another surge forward came from the crowd before retreating back inside with the catcall of “collaborator” ringing loud in their ears.
Police Borough Commander John Sutherland was kept up to date with the running push and shove at intervals in a public meeting in Camden Town he was speaking at.
Later, during the roadblock, police appeared to strike a deal with campaigners: clear Euston Road and you will be allowed in. Yet when police refused some members of the public entry, the protesters returned to reinforce the roadblock.
Cabinet councillor Sarah Hayward said: “I’ve asked officers today to look at what happened and see whether we can learn lessons and make improvements for next time. I’m a firm believer that democracy must be open and public.
“People affected by decisions should be able to hear and engage with debate about the reasons for making those decisions, they must also be able to challenge and to disagree.”
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