Lambeth Council Watch - news and updates about the 'co-operative' council
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CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
Are you seriously suggesting that 3 Lib Dems could outvote 59 Labour councillors?
Your comment is a classic "whatabout". How about Labour taking note of decent policy suggestions for a change?
This doesn’t stop them having good ideas in Lambeth.
Let me know when they have one implemented then. I remember when they had a good one on university fees
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Yes Ur right. Going into coalition with Tories was a political disaster for LDs
This meant the LDs were wiped out at Lambeth council level. Through fault of national leadership they got punished by electorate.
However I found several of the long term LD Cllrs to be very good on questioning this Labour council. They took up issues that labour backbench were to afraid to. They were good on planning issues.
As a non Tory opposition new LD group they are shaping up well at this time
The hard right Tory Cllr has now gone. He was easy to dismiss as a complete Thatcherite. However hard working he was.
However the new LD contingent are starting to look like they can't just be derided as right wing loons. Poses a challenge for our Labour council. Who I see from Brixton Buzz report tried hard to dismiss them.
Did u see they were criticising the big increase in parking charges?
Also politically I don't see that much difference between Nu Labour and LDs . On civil liberties LDs are better than full on Nu Labour lot. See Blair is back on bringing in ID for everyone again. People forget that there is authoritarian edge to Third Way politics.
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Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I know what u mean. I'm not so sure I'd want LDs actually running Lambeth.
I would be ok about Greens running Lambeth.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Was it? I can't remember. Not having a go at you. Can you add the history of this?
I vaguely remember LDs being in charge. Was that a coalition?
BusLanes
Pedestrian
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
2002 Lambeth London Borough Council election - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Looking at my Coldharbour Ward looks like the Greens have increased votes over the years. From 2002.
The map of who won and where does suggest where their is the most social housing Labour can depend on as safe seat.
Pity that the Nu Labour project was so dismissive of those people.
Recently a leading Labour Cllr told me that the Starmer led party was for Council housing.
So this might be a change. At least in rhetoric.
CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
It was a coalition. 28 LD 7 Con. 28 Lab.
Possibly someone ought to ask why Labour never do coalitions with the LDs?
At least not since the Lib Lab pact of David Steel and James Callaghan in the 1970s.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
Lambeth Labour doesn't give a shit about other parties, no matter what the positive outcomes for co-operation might be for residents. You're either with Lambeth Labour or you're the enemy.
Full Council and Cabinet over the past 15 years has been a platform for attack dog politics, rather than formulating good policy. It's all about getting pumped up and performing in front of your Labour party colleagues and showing how partisan you can be.
The roll call of charmers is endless: Lucky Jim Dickson, Reed, both Bennetts, Robbins, Wellbelove, Morgan, Cat Cllr Bigham, Gadsby, Captain Jacko, Wilson, Davie. Davie especially, actually. What a piece of work he was.
The masculine, aggressive tone has been turned down a little in recent years. Lib Peck wasn't afraid to get stuck in, mind. Even Edbrooke and Walker didn't shy away from tribalism when they had the power.
Adilypour currently carries the flame. The Labour report into semitism said that the Cabinet member used "ableist and abusive language regarding Labour members."
Rutland is another Nu Laour protege who likes to lay into any opposition, rather than offer solutions for residents. Less than six months after being elected as a Cllr for the first time, he wanted to bugger off and become an MP.
As long as attack dog politics is sanctioned from the local Leadership, there will always be a roll call of foot soldiers signing up to display their pathological hatred of other political parties. Holland shows no sign of putting the hand break on this. Full Council on Wednesday was no different.
Full Council and Cabinet over the past 15 years has been a platform for attack dog politics, rather than formulating good policy. It's all about getting pumped up and performing in front of your Labour party colleagues and showing how partisan you can be.
The roll call of charmers is endless: Lucky Jim Dickson, Reed, both Bennetts, Robbins, Wellbelove, Morgan, Cat Cllr Bigham, Gadsby, Captain Jacko, Wilson, Davie. Davie especially, actually. What a piece of work he was.
The masculine, aggressive tone has been turned down a little in recent years. Lib Peck wasn't afraid to get stuck in, mind. Even Edbrooke and Walker didn't shy away from tribalism when they had the power.
Adilypour currently carries the flame. The Labour report into semitism said that the Cabinet member used "ableist and abusive language regarding Labour members."
Rutland is another Nu Laour protege who likes to lay into any opposition, rather than offer solutions for residents. Less than six months after being elected as a Cllr for the first time, he wanted to bugger off and become an MP.
As long as attack dog politics is sanctioned from the local Leadership, there will always be a roll call of foot soldiers signing up to display their pathological hatred of other political parties. Holland shows no sign of putting the hand break on this. Full Council on Wednesday was no different.
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Rushy
basically a scrotum
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I'm now thinking this is not an aberration. Its how the Labour party works.
Its an extreme case but the parallels with how Lambeth Labour Group are their in your quotes.
Lord Kerslake puts it in more diplomatic way. But its similar.
Corbyn meant an influx of new younger members and older people who left ( Iraq being final straw). I met some of these younger activists in some of the community meetings I got to. It gave me hope that slogging away at a few things was worth it.
That period is over and the "adults" are back in charge.
Im seriously wondering if I want a Labour government. As Brown and Blair are currently popping up as elder statesman Im remembering Iraq and some of the quite right wing things they did. PFI being one of them. Regarding those keen on civil liberties as out of touch etc. etc
Torpid Scorpion
Basket case
Much of nu labour was right wing shite but consider the alternative (at a national level) is more extreme Tory misrule. After the coalition betrayal, it’s clear to me that lindens are yellow tories who want plausible deniability.
Greens are coming on strong locally, tho.
BusLanes
Pedestrian
The key problem is that 5 or 6 opposition councillors, even if good/well organised are never going to be able to hold Labour to account properly.
I think that problem sort of gets solved if Labour wins the next general election if just because history shows us that this will affect their local popularity.
Looking at Wikipedia, 2006- 2014 they were winning the most votes and getting the most councillors at 35-41%, then in 14 they just got under 50, now I think they're over 50. No opposition is going to do well in elections with the ruling party getting 50% or so each election.
So if a Labour PM hits Lambeth Labour's popularity then the next local elections in 2026 could be easier going for the opposition parties if Labour 's vote drops down to low 40s again.
I think that problem sort of gets solved if Labour wins the next general election if just because history shows us that this will affect their local popularity.
Looking at Wikipedia, 2006- 2014 they were winning the most votes and getting the most councillors at 35-41%, then in 14 they just got under 50, now I think they're over 50. No opposition is going to do well in elections with the ruling party getting 50% or so each election.
So if a Labour PM hits Lambeth Labour's popularity then the next local elections in 2026 could be easier going for the opposition parties if Labour 's vote drops down to low 40s again.
So what you are saying is the best we can hope for is a Lib Dem council ?
BusLanes
Pedestrian
No not really. Labour is likely to run Lambeth for at least a couple of terms at best, which brings us up till the 2030s so who knows what will be happening then.
I think we probably end up with more Green councillors than Lib Dems if Labour drops back a bit. If just because their vote share is much higher. Might even get a Tory or two.
I have had an email from Better to advise that Lambeth are taking back the running of their leisure centres.
Cutting out the middleman sounds good in principle, but Vauxhall will continue to be managed by Better. So, from what I can see, we will be paying the same money as before but have one fewer centre to use.
I often use Vauxhall as the sauna and steam are open at the same time as the pool. On the rare times at Brixton Rec that the sauna and steam are open, they are split by gender sessions so there is a 50% chance of being able to use it.
That will be the second Lambeth owned leisure centre which requires an extra membership, alongside the Lido.
The West Norwood Swimming Pool has been closed for months with no sign of reopening. The last time I tried to book swimming in Streatham, it was closed early as they are short-staffed and the boiler in the Rec has been out of action so the water is freezing.
It's all a load of shite.
Cutting out the middleman sounds good in principle, but Vauxhall will continue to be managed by Better. So, from what I can see, we will be paying the same money as before but have one fewer centre to use.
I often use Vauxhall as the sauna and steam are open at the same time as the pool. On the rare times at Brixton Rec that the sauna and steam are open, they are split by gender sessions so there is a 50% chance of being able to use it.
That will be the second Lambeth owned leisure centre which requires an extra membership, alongside the Lido.
The West Norwood Swimming Pool has been closed for months with no sign of reopening. The last time I tried to book swimming in Streatham, it was closed early as they are short-staffed and the boiler in the Rec has been out of action so the water is freezing.
It's all a load of shite.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
The Rec is shocking right now. Better / GLL don't give a shit as the days count down. 'Active Lambeth' is running around trying to patch up the cracks to hold the place together.
I've transferred to indoor Rec swimming this winter as I was away from the Lido for a short while during those crucial acclimatisation months of October and November. There's not a lot of difference tbh. I couldn't see a temperature board at the Rec today, but I'd be surprised if the water was warmer than 15 degrees. The gents changing rooms REEK of piss.
The way that Lambeth badged up the Vauxhall facility was always going to come back and kick them up the arse. It was built as part of S106 funding for the development. Lambeth thought they'd have a bit of that, even going as far as claiming in Lambeth Labour election material that they "built" a new leisure centre. It's a right old mess to unravel.
I first asked the question about paying twice to use Lambeth owned leisure centres at the BLU AGM in 2008. I kept on persisting for around a decade, always promised a reply. It never came, natch.
I've transferred to indoor Rec swimming this winter as I was away from the Lido for a short while during those crucial acclimatisation months of October and November. There's not a lot of difference tbh. I couldn't see a temperature board at the Rec today, but I'd be surprised if the water was warmer than 15 degrees. The gents changing rooms REEK of piss.
The way that Lambeth badged up the Vauxhall facility was always going to come back and kick them up the arse. It was built as part of S106 funding for the development. Lambeth thought they'd have a bit of that, even going as far as claiming in Lambeth Labour election material that they "built" a new leisure centre. It's a right old mess to unravel.
I first asked the question about paying twice to use Lambeth owned leisure centres at the BLU AGM in 2008. I kept on persisting for around a decade, always promised a reply. It never came, natch.
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Public meeting at Rec coming up soon. Re bringing management back in-house
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
Plus some news on Rec.
BRUG out written submission into Scrutiny committee. This MailChimp has link to this and the minutes of the meeting
BRUG out written submission into Scrutiny committee. This MailChimp has link to this and the minutes of the meeting
CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
Surely they only have three possible target wards - Streaham Hill West & Thornton, Clapham Common & Abbeville - and St Leonards.
Watch out Thornton and Abbeville - they are coming for you next!
GarveyLives
Well-Known Member
Shirley Oaks: 'Hundreds of children racially and sexually abused'
(Source: as stated in images)
He was leader of Lambeth council from 1978 to 1985. She was leader of the council between 1986 and 1988. What did they know about this ... and what did they do about it?
Lambeth Council could spend £47m more than it planned on compensation to people who were abused in its 'care' as children:
Council could spend a further £47m on payouts to child abuse victims
BusLanes
Pedestrian
Yes indeed. Just this was the first time I'd seen them post on Twitter with such a big turnout of the great and the good.
I think they'll be out in Gypsy Hill and Herne Hill too. Perhaps Waterloo and the other bits of Clapham.
I saw a bunch of Labour leaflets in doors/ on ground out around Clapham and Ferndale road yesterday too
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
Buzzed: HfL swallows up £13m extra of Council coffers with the Lambeth owned company resorting to shifty tactics to avoid legal action from homeowners "The failed HfL wants to push ahead with plans for Fenwick Place without risk of resident injunctions"
