Just for the record, we noted in this week's edition of the 'Newham Recorder' (mystifyingly called Tower Hamlets Recorder') circulated in the East End of London today 14 Dec 2005, carry a 'letter' saying that there should be a 'debate' on Crossrail.
The 'letter' seems to be from the same campaign (Brick Lane London E1 Area Against Crossrail hole Bill) . We don't agree that there should be a debate.
The time for debate is over.
They (the promoters of the Crossrail hole Bill) have got the Bill already past the Second Reading. We must use all our energies now to force the Tower Hamlets Council to withdraw that collectively-stated Tower Hamlets backing for Crossrail hole Bill.
Here is what we have told the 'Tower Hamlets Recorder' today 14 December 2005
No need for debate- Get Keith off the Council.
Sink the Crossrail hole ploy now.
There is no need for any 'debate' with Tower Hamlets Councillor Michael Keith at all.
There is no time for any debate either.
Had there been a 'debate' that would have best taken place in 2003.
Sometime before June 2003 when Michael Keith began his public lobbying for the Crossrail scheme.
People need to realise that far from being a mere local councillor on Tower Hamlets Council, Michael Keith has behaved as a pro-active agent for the big business interests that have the most to gain if a Crossrail plan is approved in its present Bill form in the UK Parliament.
The most important task in the next few months is to establish the ground to get Michael Keith off Tower Hamlets Council and get the rest of his colluders for Crossrail thrown out of the Tower Hamlets Council.
Then build a democratic and accountable Council. No, not a stunt one with George Galloway either.
Build a council in Tower Hamlets with local people being able to have our say on actual decisions that are seen to be being made by taking account of what local people say. With what local people need locally. On all aspects of life,.
Neither the Tories nor the Lib Dems are up to the job either.
Hard times. Hard tasks. Hard work.
But the results of hard work will be equally exciting.
The community will be defended.
Let us organise the people and make a peoples' manifesto come to the fore now.
Before the parties and their cohorts get away with foolish vote-grabbing promises.
Comments
Hide the following 7 comments
Democracy: It's not ideal, but it's the best we've got
15.12.2005 16:43
So, we should throw out the council that was elected by the people of Tower Hamlets, and replace them with someone who agrees with your point of view, in order to make the area more "democratic"?
What makes you any more representative of the people of Tower Hamlets than the councillors in question?
FTB
say what?
15.12.2005 17:18
ant
FTB - its called politics stupid
16.12.2005 09:08
The fact that you've questioned the absolute right to replace unpopular or unrepresentative elected officials suggests to me that your understanding of what constitiutes democracy is a bit shaky. Here's how it works:
Every four years there's something called an "election". This is where people called "candidates" put their names forward either as individuals or as representatives of "political parties" in the hope of being elected as "councillors". These "candidates" may be existing "councillors" seeking a further term of "office" or they may be seeking to replace the existing "councillors". If the "electorate", or "voters" as they are sometimes called, are happy with the way existing "councillors" have performed they are likely to be "re-elected". If, however, a large enough portion of the "electorate" think they have performed poorly, or against their interests they are liable to be replaced by a candidate who more to their liking. This is called "accountability" and is what distingushes a "democracy" from an "elected dictatorship".
There will be elections in Tower Hamlets and across London in May 2006 where voters will get the opportunity to hold councils to account. How is a call in advance to oppose and replace councillors who are perceived as remote or even corrupt "undemocratic"?
Skyver Bill
Stop Crossrail hole attack
16.12.2005 10:06
Keep up the fight to back the East End against the Crossrail hole Bill.
Grassroots
ave you noticed?
16.12.2005 11:48
its a big city
that needs planned transport systems?
8rails
info on Crossrail hole attack on the East End of London
16.12.2005 18:07
In short, Crossrail want to dig a hole under Hanbury street/Princelet street.
These streets run across Brick Lane.
This will involve almost 24/7 noise, pollution and disruption over 5-6 years. At least. The result will be no ordinary life for the community in the area. Shops will lose custom. Many restaurants, including the curry houses, will be forced to close due to lack of business. what we now know to be the ~Brick Lane area will cease to be, as most of the activities will be affected by the hole.
Crossrail do not have to dig that hole here.
Crossrail could build the transport system without digging the hole in the Brick Lane area.
They could do it at Crossrail end of their line and outside of the area.
It has been shown in the local area, that Crossrail were INVITED to dig the hole in the Brick Lane area. the invitation did not come from the local community in the East End.
It c came from some politicians who did not ask the community.
We are a hundred percent with the community and we are set to make more info available.
Eastender
Stop Crossrail hole Bill attack on the East End of London Say No to hole lies
20.12.2005 11:42
TOWER Hamlets Council have not listened top the local people on anything. Like their role in promoting the Crossrail hole BILL now, Tower Hamlets councillors almost shit down the historic York Hall. They only changed their plan when local people
mounted a campaign.
We can do the same over Crossrail hole Bill. we can mount a starting local community campaign in defence of the Brick Lane London E1 Area and against the Tower Hamlets councillors who have caused the hole plan to be in cluded in the Crossrail Bill. We can do this,. And we can defend a little part of our area from being taken over by the City of London interests and their fellow destroyers.
The East End Council Tax Payers Association
East End Council tax payer