Photos from Local Government in Revolt with John McDonnell, Ted Knight and Hazel Smith – 30th anniversary of the rate capping struggle

On 5 July 2016 Lambeth Libraries organised a sold out event in Clapham to discuss the local history of the rate capping dispute in the mid 1980s. The event was sold out – no doubt helped by the presence of Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell! Ted Knight and Sharon Atkin both gave speeches about the history of the Labour Party in Lambeth in the 1980s and what the context was for today.

Article about the event on Brixton Buzz

Thanks to Ed Hall who specially made banners for the event

John McDonnell talks about the importance of local government autonomy

The councillors past and present: the currently suspended Labour councillor Rachel Heywood (on the far left), Joan Twelves Lambeth Council leader 1989-1992 before her suspension), Bill Bowring, ex Mayor Lloyd Leon, Sharon Atkin, Ted Knight, John McDonnell XXX, Noel Hannon (behind) John O’Malley (behind) Joan Walley, Jo Sinclair (in front), Len Hammond (in front) and Bryn Davies (ex ILEA and GLC member) on the right.

The original 20 foot by 18 foot banner that hung from the occupied town hall in 1986, courtesy of Ed Hall

Ted Knight gives his speech at Radical Lambeth, the 30th anniversary of the rate capping struggle