We have come across the press release below, issued recently by the Hammersmith and Fulham branch of the TUC. What a shame that in an election year some of our local politicians are either unable or unwilling to debate their housing policies in public. Surely this kind of debate is meant to be a cornerstone of democracy.
Hammersmith and Fulham TUC, c/o 691 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5UJ
HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM TORIES REFUSE TO FACE THE PUBLIC.
Shaun Bailey, the Conservative Party’s prospective candidate for Hammersmith, and Stephen Greenhalgh, Conservative leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, have refused to accept an invitation from the local TUC to attend a public debate on the party’s controversial housing policy.
Hammersmith and Fulham Trades Union Council wrote to Bailey and Greenhalgh together with Hammersmith MP, Andrew Slaughter, and Council opposition Leader, Stephen Cowan, on February 17th, proposing a meeting for March 25th. When Councillor Greenhalgh’s office told the TUC that he was unavailable that day, the date was changed to April 6th. While Slaughter and Cowan both confirmed their attendance, Greenhalgh’s office has since failed to respond and Bailey’s office promised a reply three times but ultimately delivered nothing.
Hammersmith and Fulham TUC President, Bert Schouwenburg, said, “The Conservative Party lost any credibility it might have had when it characterised council estates as ‘barracks for the poor’ and announced plans to demolish them. It is hardly surprising that Bailey and Greenhalgh are reluctant to appear in public to defend this blatant piece of social engineering and class warfare but if they have no faith in their own extremist policies, why should anyone else?”
ENDS
For further details, ring Bert Schouwenburg HFTUC President on 07974 251764 or 7736 5683.
bert.schouwenburg@gmb.org.uk
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