It is astonishing that under Labour's leadership, Lambeth Council has become the 22nd most deprived borough in the country. Since its birth, the Labour Party has always claimed to be a friend of the working class, a party that would protect society's poorest from exploitation and poverty. Yet the situation in Lambeth proves that Labour has fundamentally failed in its purpose here. Instead of lifting people out of poverty, Labour Lambeth is trapping its residents in depravity.
Labour governments and councils have intentionally trapped people in poverty
Without a solid working class base, there is no point in the Labour Party's existence. That is why so many Labour governments and councils have intentionally trapped people in poverty to ensure they still have a core base of voters. Lambeth is typical of a London council that is guilty of designing policies intended to aid its supporters when their actual purpose is quite the opposite.
Their housing policy is typical of this. Many housing estates throughout the country need regeneration, particularly after the Grenfell Tower tragedy earlier this year. Buildings like Grenfell were ugly and old. But what Labour is doing in Lambeth demonstrates how they have no intention of improving the lives of their residents.
It is typical of what Councillor Tim Briggs, the Leader of Lambeth's Conservative Group, and the Greens' Deputy Leader, Jon Bartley, described as something close to social cleansing. With the significant amount of money Lambeth Council has wasted on spin, they will label this as a housing policy designed to rehouse tenants in poor buildings, fooling people into believing Labour is on the side of the working class, when they are not.
Local councils are able to operate without depending on Westminster for funding
Councillor Briggs said the neighbouring ward of Wandsworth, run by the Tories, has managed to deliver efficient services without wasting money. Compared to Lambeth, Wandsworth's library is still open. They have ensured council tax is low and built adequate houses.
Unlike Labour, Wandsworth Conservatives do not blame their misfortunes on central government. Local councils are able to operate without depending on Westminster for funding. It is an absolute disgrace Labour has blamed Lambeth's library closure on Whitehall. As Councillor Briggs said to Blasting News, libraries help people become educated and achieve their aspirations, but socialists do not want this because residents would become educated enough to see through their hollow policies.
Lambeth deserves better than this. Let's hope their residents realise this during next year's local elections.
