At the Lambeth Democracy launch (l-r) Andy Plant, Save Cressingham Gardens; Steve Freeman, Lambeth Democracy; Simon Morrow, Lambeth People’s Audit; Laura Swaffield, Defend the Ten
Groups that have been at the forefront of opposition to the policies of Lambeth council’s ruling Labour party have joined forces in the “Lambeth Democracy” campaign.
It was launched in Brixton with representatives from the Defend the Ten libraries campaign, residents of Cressingham Gardens
who oppose the planned demolition of their council estate overlooking Brockwell Park, and Lambeth People’s Audit
that has been using relatively recent legislation to try to analyse the council’s buying and spending.
At their launch campaigners discussed “citizens’ assemblies” and “people’s parliaments” as ways for “ordinary Lambeth citizens” to plan and press for change.
They say that “electing local councillors every four years is part of a ‘democratic’ sham’,” and that the council chamber “is little more than a rubber stamp for decisions made elsewhere”.
Its supporters stressed that Lambeth Democracy is not a political party.
“We are a local campaign promoting ideas about building and strengthening grass roots democracy in Lambeth and exposing and opposing bureaucratic decision-making by Lambeth council,”it says. But is is campaigning in the local elections for candidates who publicly endorse its principles and policies.
More at lambethdemocracy.org.uk
