| The Militant-led Liverpool city council of 1983-1987 was the subject of vicious abuse. But the torrent of government and media lies, about "finanical chaos" or else "financial irregularities" were seen for the black propaganda that they were by the ordinary people of Liveropol. The Liverpool council's struggle against cuts and soaring rent and rate rises imposed by previous council regimes, following punative government cuts to the rate support grant in Merseyside, inspired an army of support to battle prime minister Margaret Thatcher and the Tory government in 1983-1987. The council, led by Militant Tendency supporters (now Socialist Party), refused to raise rents or rates to compensate for central government cuts, and demanded extra money, in order to build decent houses and other facilities for the working class men, women and hildren of the city. This film by Leslie Ann Barrett, shown at the Militant Rally 1985, captures a moment in that battle. The Achievements of the 47 councillors who stood firm against the government: 6300 families rehoused from tenements, flats and maisonettes 2, 873 tenement flats demolished 1315 walk-up flats demolished 2086 flats/maisonettes demolished 4800 houses and bungalows built 7400 houses and flats improved 600 houses/bungalows created by 'top-downing' 1315 walk-up flats 25 new Housing Action Areas being developed 6 new nursery classes built and open 17 Community Comprehensive Schools established following a massive re-organisation ... |
