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Promises on homes just don’t stand up
• AS has been the case in the past, the latest edition of CNJ has covered a number of issues which are of great interest to the vast majority of readers. In particular, your exclusive by Richard Osley (Give ’em the homes millions, says Brown’s deputy, June 14) on Camden’s Housing Fund crisis is, in my opinion, an exposure of the housing policy scandal that has been allowed to continue since the 1980s.
I moved to my present address in 1985 because my previous council accommodation in Tavistock Place had been flooded from the flat above. The initial promise of modernising my bathroom had to be shelved because the Thatcher government decided to make an example of ‘looney left’ policies and Camden was to be rate-capped, year after year. As a result, a large number of services for vulnerable people had to be closed.
Our block of flats and the majority of Camden properties have become sub-standard, and yet this present government is penalising the citizens of Camden for reaching a democratic decision that did not satisfy the Blair government.
I hear of council tenants in other boroughs who have had their accommodation modernised and fitted with new kitchen units and bathrooms, while our flats are in a state of disrepair.
In addition, a number of vital services have been affected. Ellen Terry Court has been there for people with special needs. My eldest son Robin went to that centre and so many disabled people have valued the ETC project over the years.
This is another example of Camden being singled out by consecutive governments. No wonder most of us have come to mistrust politicians.
The photo of the six possible deputy leaders with smiling faces and the promises of direct investment are not enough to convince anyone – we’ve heard it all before!
It is unfortunate that our loyal MPs may eventually lose support, due to the unpopularity of the political party they belong to.
CONSTANTINE LOUIS
Regent Square, WC1
• AS we know that Labour ministers have spent the £283 million they had promised for our homes, why should we believe the wannabe deputy PMs? After all, this is the party that told us there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and ignored our biggest public demonstration ever. Can we really believe they suddenly care about Camden’s council tenants?
It’s not just Labour in Westminster that is to blame. After all, it’s the previous Labour Camden Council that tried to push through a one-size-fits-all Almo [arms length management organisation] to take our homes away from council control, and then sat on its hands and did nothing for years and years when they rightly got their fingers burned.
Thus tens of thousands of young families and elderly tenants are still living with heating that doesn’t work and wiring that goes wrong and kitchens and bathrooms that are falling apart.
This is the reality of Labour’s caring legacy for Camden’s tenants – both Labour in government and Labour on the council. It takes more than a few glib promises to put our housing back together. Let them come and see some of our problems for themselves.
CLLR ARTHUR GRAVES
Liberal Democrat
Belsize Ward, NW3
• I’M delighted to hear the Labour politicians competing for each other’s votes to become deputy leader are, at last, declaring an interest in funding council housing.
Tens of thousands of people are putting up with sub-standard housing in Camden. It’s a disgrace that Labour’s ministers have so far refused us the help we so clearly need, as confirmed once more in our recent meeting with the current housing minister.
Naturally, we want government policy to change. We’ll be campaigning to change it and if we succeed we will be fighting for Camden’s tenants immediately.
But I am convinced that, after years of Labour indecision in Camden, we must press ahead to start work on urgent rewiring and improving kitchens and bathrooms, now planned to start next year. I am pleased that we have now made our decision on this, and look forward to consulting tenants on their priorities.
We shall have to wait to see if the candidates for deputy leader honour what they say.
It would not be the first time Labour promises have failed the electorate. To be realistic, as a recent deputy leader said, “you just have to accept that as deputy you have little influence on policy”.
CLLR CHRIS NAYLOR
Liberal Democrat, Camden Town with Primrose Hill
Executive Member for Housing
• WHY can’t the housing minister have a meeting with the council tenants who have been affected by their policy, when they speak on their behalf? On this crucial matter, maybe your paper could have an input.
Everything seems to be decided behind closed doors and nobody knows exactly what is being said. It’s all dubious.
Everybody says they represent tenants and we are the last to know anything.
Is democracy dead as we know it?
ETHEL HANECEK
Camden Park Road, N1
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