• THE justified attack by Camden Council leader Georgia Gould and Keir Starmer MP on the Conservative government’s cuts to local council budgets is only half the story (It can’t go on like this, November 16).

The impact of austerity in our borough is being worsened by Labour-controlled Camden’s own high-handed, secretive, ways of working.

Th November 16 New Journal contained several examples, including ignoring tenants’ concerns about fire safety in Chalcots and delays to the report into the costly evacuation; excluding applicants to the new Citizens’ Assembly without explanation; and questions around the mysterious, alleged, £2.5million payment to a highway maintenance contractor claiming unfair treatment.

Then there are the ongoing council failures, such as new council homes accounting for only 17 per cent of new housing in its Community Investment Programme; the undermining of community efforts to revive Queen’s Crescent Market; negligible progress on tackling air pollution on Camden’s roads; and the massive, damaging, private developments going ahead in Somers Town and Swiss Cottage despite local opposition.

Camden’s all-powerful Labour group cannot continue to blame the government for problems it is creating or exacerbating itself.

The best way to defend our communities from Tory destruction is genuinely to listen to and work with communities and progressive parties on the council.

Camden’s one Green councillor, Sian Berry, has been hugely effective in holding the council to account on housing, fire safety, youth service provision and much more.

Next May’s local council elections are a great opportunity to elect more Greens to the council and force Camden Labour to listen to the residents it claims to represent.

DEE SEARLE
Co-Chair
Camden Green Party