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Debate on big sell-off stifled
• ISLINGTON Council has shown that, while it may like to talk about being a “listening council”, it is far from anything of the sort.
Many of the people who attended last week’s council meeting to support the Save our Shops campaign were surprised that so few councillors spoke in the debate on the opposition Labour councillors’ emergency motion calling for the council to reconsider selling off premises occupied by voluntary and community groups and to slow down the process of the sale to ensure current tenants have enough time to raise necessary funds.
This was because all 24 Lib Dem councillors voted to stop the debate and then voted against the motion.
Protesters who had come to the meeting were entitled to hear from councillors why they preferred to sell to a property developer than to local businesses. Debate was stifled to try to save the Lib Dems’ embarrassment and their inability to justify this sell-off. The reason being there is no justification.
Lib Dem leader ‘Ming’ Campbell has warned against the spread of “ghost town Britain” as property developers and large chains take over our high streets, stating: “I share people’s anger at seeing local services and facilities... disappear.” Sadly, his anger is not shared by a single one of the Lib Dem councillors elected last May.
CLLR RICHARD GREENING
Deputy leader of the Labour opposition, Town Hall, N1 |
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