FIVE well-known Labour Party members in Tower Hamlets, east London, have written an open letter calling for a vote for Respect on June 10th. Their letter, which we reprint below, has been sent to the local press, and asks the following questions of Labour's GLA candidate John Biggs:
• Is he proud of the continued privatisation of public services?
• Is he proud of attacks on the legal rights of asylum seekers and refugees?
• Is he proud of attempts to destroy council housing? •..
• Is he proud of attacks on trade unions like the FBU?
• Is he proud of the announcement of thousands of civil service job losses in the Budget?
• Is he proud of the alleged corruption and misuse of public money at Tower Hamlets Council?
• Is he proud of the invasion and occupation of Iraq?
• Is he proud that the gap between rich and poor has grown under New Labour?
"If he can answer 'yes' to these questions, then John confirms that this is a Labour Party that we no longer recognise.
"The minimum wage and investment in health and education (still inadequate) are the very least we should expect, but they are the most this Labour government can claim credit for.
"We have served the Labour Party and the local community for many years, but now we say that New Labour has abandoned both its principles and the people of Tower Hamlets.
"It's time for an alternative, which is why June I0."
The letter is signed by Hamlets Council) Tower Hamlets) and Chief Whip)" we are supporting 'Respect - the Unity Labour MPs Coalition' and will be voting for Respect on
Paul Beasley (Former Leader, Tower
Phil Maxwell (Former Chair of Housing) own street.
Arthur Downs (Former Mayor of
Terry Sullivan (Former Councillor and Chair Bow And Bethnal Green CLP)
John Rowe (Former Labour councillor
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