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Limbering up at the Hampstead hustings
Candidates prepare their pitches for next year’s battle for control of the Camden Council
POLITICIANS clashed at a Question Time-style debate in Rosslyn Hill Chapel on Tuesday as the fight for votes ahead of next year’s council elections began in earnest.
Conservative councillor Chris Knight, Liberal Democrat councillor Linda Chung, Labour candidate Janet Guthrie and Highgate ward Green councillor Maya de Souza were quizzed on the school run, recession-driven cuts to services and the sale of council housing.
The first question, from Kyle Jones, wanted the candidates to explain their party’s distinctive appeal.
Cllr Knight said “total honesty”, Cllr Chung said “listening to the individual voice”, Ms Guthrie said “helping people with low incomes” and Cllr de Souza said “living within the limits of the environment”.
Unlike the BBC’s Question Time last week, this event attracted a small audience of just 25 people – and most of them were already members of political parties.
Sean Birch, a Labour candidate, asked whether it was right to sell council homes.
Camden Council is selling homes to fund repairs because the government will not release extra funding – opponents say homes should not be sold with such a long waiting list.
Cllr de Souza said: “It’s a difficult one – the executive has a huge problem.
But the council clearly does not have a strategy on reducing its waiting list.”
Ms Guthrie said: “In almost every case, it is wrong. They should only sell homes that are in chronic need of repair – that has not been the case so far.”
Cllr Chung said Camden had been “punished” by the Labour government.
Cllr Knight said: “I don’t think the sell-off of voids needs questioning. Council tax alone will not cover the repairs – I’d ask the Government, where’s the magic pot of money?”
Responding to another question on council cuts, Cllr Knight added: “I cannot put my finger on a single cut this council has been part of. We are making the best use of resources through savings.”
Cllr Chung said the “big problem” in Hampstead was the school run adding: “We all know there is no point driving anywhere in Hampstead in the mornings and late afternoons.” Ms Guthrie said a school bus scheme should be paid for by the private schools in Fitzjohn’s Avenue, while Cllr de Souza said cycling and walking routes should be better promoted.
Chairman Charlie Groom, vice chair of the Hampstead Lecture Society, said the next political debate would be held on November 19.
The council elections are due to be be held in May 2010, possibly on the same date as the general election. |
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