All’s fair in votes battle

Published: 23 April 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB

THAT word is back again and this time it’s in the Green Party manifesto. As well as the expected pledges of a greener borough, the Greens are promising a “fairer” Islington, writes Róisín Gadelrab.

Where have we heard that before? Labour’s manifesto, launched on Tuesday, is entitled “Our plan for a fairer Islington”. The Lib Dems’, though not launched yet, is called “Greener, Safer, Fairer” – it’s just the Tories we’re waiting on.

Islington Green Party launched its manifesto outside Drayton Park on Wednesday. It includes a promise to increase council tax by £1 to create more green spaces and to create a commission to reduce waste. The launch location was carefully chosen – the scene of a recent victory for the party, whose campaigners successfully fought for a new crossing in the area.

The manifesto points out how much the Greens have achieved with just one councillor, Katie Dawson, who has successfully fought for the introduction of a borough-wide 20mph zone, a council repair service for household goods and free sports for young people. They promise to put people before profit, pledging: “We believe that public services should not be driven by the profit motive but by a sense of service to others.”

James Humphreys, the party’s Islington South candidate, said: “We know, whoever wins nationally there’s going to be terrible cuts. We don’t want any frontline services cuts. 

“We want to set up a commission on waste which will get some of the leading brains in Islington to give up their time to come up with suggestions, ideas and advice to help the council to improve delivery and they will be people you can trust. We don’t want to waste money on consultants.”

He said council tax will rise by inflation but that the party wants to add £1 per head for a collective fund for green spaces, adding: “We’d put it into a trust and this would be used to attract matched funding.”

Housebuilding spearheads power bid

THERE was no shortage of anger and rallying cries from the second floor of Islington’s Central Library on Tuesday, writes Róisín Gadelrab.

The Labour Party was launching its manifesto with a solemn vow to put things right after 10 years of Lib Dem rule in the borough. 

Top of the list is housing – the manifesto includes commitments to create thousands of affordable homes and build council homes as well as continuing free school meals, getting tougher on crime and being more green. Key north London Labour figures were present – former London mayor Ken Livingstone, Tott­enham MP David Lammy, London Ass­embly member Jennette Arn­old, local MPs Emily Thornberry and Jeremy Corbyn, and Labour leader Catherine West. 

Mr Corbyn criticised Lib Dems for selling council property, adding that he “still feels angry” about how the council sold Caxton House for £18,000 and other properties “in a sort of fire sale”.

Ms West said Islington residents were well aware of the consequences of a Lib Dem win, adding: “The savage cuts Nick Clegg talked about, we know about. We remember what it was like to fight for after-school care for working women.”

Education spokesman Richard Watts, who wrote the manifesto, said: “It’s got radical ideas in there – free school meals, real ideas for better housing... We’re going to give every one of the kids in the borough the best start possible.”

Quartet of independents

FOUR independent candidates are contesting wards in Islington – under the unofficial umbrella of The Independent Leaseholders, writes Roisin Gadelrab. 

Dr Brian Potter, Terry Comer, Helen Cagnoni and Ed Fredenburgh are standing for seats on Islington Council. Dr Potter, who is contesting St Mary’s ward, said: “The council need somebody in the chamber who can monitor their behaviour.”

Mr Fredenburgh, a graphic designer who is contesting Barnsbury, has successfully campaigned to reduce contractors’ management fees by just under 30 per cent for the first of the borough’s Decent Homes contracts. Ms Cagnoni will stand in Clerkenwell, with Mr Comer a candidate in Canonbury. 

Ms Cagnoni said: “Constant complaints about deteriorating services, increasing rents, rates, maintenance charges and general waste of public money are being completely ignored.”

Animals champion off the leash

ANIMAL lovers have their own Islington South candidate in the form of Richard Deboo.

The Animals Count deputy leader launched his manifesto at a King’s Cross bookshop on Saturday. His party claims to be the first dedicated to protecting the interests of animals to contest a general election.

Animals Count says its ultimate goal is “a world in which animals are not exploited, and are treated as sentient beings”.

Mr Deboo said: “Democracy must mean everyone is heard. Our voice is the voice of all in the community. We are the proof that another politics is possible.”

Candidates to face hustings

A SERIES of hustings meetings is planned in the run-up to election day. 

Islington Community Group hustings will explore which party people involved in charities and community groups should support at a breakfast meeting. 

It is at the Voluntary Action Islington Centre, at 200a Pentonville Road, King’s Cross, at 8.30am on Tuesday.

Better Archway Forum holds its hustings at Hargrave Hall, in Hargrave Road, Archway, at 7.30pm on Wednesday. Islington Trades Union Council’s theme will be the People’s Charter, with a particular focus on Whittington Hospital. The event takes place at Islington Central Library, in Fieldway Crescent, off Holloway Road, from 8pm to 9.30pm on Friday, April 30.