Difficult decisions for Labour

Published: 19 May, 2011

• I DISAGREE with your report (Labour at war, & Ditching of deputy leader sparks an F-word quarrel, May 12). 

It’s not war – it was a democratic vote – and I really don’t think it was homophobia. I certainly hope not.

What is true is that in the last year the Labour administration has had to make some of the most difficult decisions in the whole history of Camden. 

It would be extraordinary if the reckless Coalition cuts, which fell most heavily on local government, had not put a strain on the whole Labour group consisting, in the main, of newly-elected councillors including myself.

And the cuts are only the first round in the Tory-Lib Dem project to dismantle local government and the welfare state. NHS reforms, the education and localism bills and fundamental deregulation will strip the public sector of its functions and open the way to privatisation and a free market in service provision.

No Labour councillor wants to see this happen, but I have no doubt that it will require every ounce of our passion, intelligence, integrity and solidarity to build an effective resistance to these attacks. 

We will need to look outwards not inwards.

I have written two papers for the Labour group on how we respond to these attacks. 

One dealt with the relevance of Labour values, particularly the importance of universal provision, the other with the need to build a “People’s Council”, a progressive localism that sustains public services and strengthens local democracy. 

I hope that now we will have an opportunity to debate these ideas and many other views that people will have.

Finally it is an honour to serve Camden, in whatever position, and I would particularly like to thank my colleagues and, indeed, officers I have worked with in the last year as well as the many community groups, including our vibrant “green” community, that really do make up the heartbeat of the borough. 

CLLR ANGELA MASON
Labour, Cantelowes ward

No confidence

• I WAS most dismayed to read Brad Hepburn’s letter (May 12) regarding the removal of Angela Mason CBE from Camden Town Hall’s cabinet for absolutely no given reason whatsoever. 

Angela, a former director of the UK-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lobbying group Stonewall has been an excellent supporter of equality rights for many years. 

This I can certainly vouch for from my Stonewall days and this did not wane when she joined Camden Council.

Angela, in conjunction with outgoing mayor Councillor Jonathan Simpson, put Camden at the top of all London councils for being the most LGBT-friendly and supportive authority. Both Angela and Jonathan’s massive contribution to equality, education and support to the local LGBT community made a massive impact.

Now we have nothing; Camden’s long-established LGBT hate crime advisory group, one of the least expensive to run of all Camden’s operations, has been consigned – thanks to a meeting behind locked doors – to the annals of history.

It takes ages to build up a good reputation and just overnight to lose it forever.

Homophobia and hate crime doesn’t take holidays. It’s around all of the time and needs constant addressing and I, for one, dread to think what we will be experiencing in Camden in the future. 

The loss of two such significant mentors and promoters of equality is tragic and will make Camden a poorer place.

My confidence, along with other local people I know, is totally at zero regarding Camden’s transparency and commitment to its LGBT residents and people who work in the borough. Camden would be well advised to reflect on their actions. Shame on you, Camden.

JOHN P GRAHAM
Holford Road, NW3