Thatcher Milk Snatcher 1971

Thatcher Milk Snatcher 1971

Labour-controlled councils in several parts of Britain are-to seek ways of getting round the Education (Milk) Bill which makes it illegal for local education authorities to supply free milk to children over the age of seven, except in special circumstances. The Bill received its second reading on Monday night. During the course, of the debate Mr Edward Taylor, Under-Secretary of State at the Scottish Office, warned authorities not to go ahead with any plans to break the law deliberately. Mrs Margaret Thatcher, Secretary of State Education, said it was not possible as the law stood to have expenditure on free milk borne by the rates alone, as had been suggested.


That would mean a rise in the rates and that in turn would mean that central government would have to provide more money through the rate support grant to some authorities at the expense of others. An expert said yesterday that the difficulty could be overcome by use of the "free penny", the old penny rate that councils are empowered to raise under the 1963 Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act. The money must be used "in the interests of the area or its inhabitants". He said the Bill referred only to local education authorities and said that, provided the free penny rate was not being used already, there could be no objection to a council's using theproduct of the rate to provide free milk. But such a move would certainly be open to the objections raised by Mrs Thatcher; that it would do nothing to contain public expenditure and switch the destination of some public money.

There is a further possible objection in the 1963 Act, which lays down that the product of the penny rate can be used only for expenditure that cannot be authorized or required by reference to any other enactment. For example, an authority could not increase its welfare provision by using the penny rate That raises the question whether local authorities supplying milk on the rates might not be regarded as using the rate to supplement their welfare expenditure. The Bill will almost certainly be attacked by both the Association of Municipal Corporations, whose education committee passed by 11 votes to none a critical resolution on the subject, and the Association of Education Committees, which later this month will debate two motions on the issue. The first of these calls is for local education authorities to be allowed to supply milk if they so wish; the second is a direct attack on the Bill.

Sir William Alexander, secretary of the association said yesterday: "There is no objection to the Government saying how taxpayers money may be spent. What I object to is it saying how rate-payers' money should be spent". Labour councils are particularly aggrieved at the Bill in the light of Mrs Thatcher's views on secondary reorganization: that each authority should have freedom to decide for itself. The inner London Education Authority is in a unique position in the controversy because it is only an education authority. Canon Harvey Hinds, chairman of the schools subcommittee of the ILEA, said yesterday that the education committee would be going ahead with its proposal today that it should hold joints talks with the Inner London boroughs on how to keep supplying the milk.

Stephen Jessel Education Correspondent [The Times - 16. 6. 1971]

NOTE

June 14th 1971
The Bill received its second reading . It was passed by 281 votes to 248, a government majority of 33.
The Conservatives then issued a warning to local authorities not to go ahead with any plans to break the law deliberately provide free school milk.
Mrs Thatcher told MPs the Chief Medical Officer had been consulted on the plans and he had advised that it was not possible to predict whether the withdrawal of free milk would harm children's diets and overall health.
Never Forget

Ann Wake

Ann Wake - By Election Hillingdon West

Outspoken and dynamic Ann Wake, a 40-year-old housewife and mother, is to be Labour's candidate in the Hillingdon West by-election on 19 October 1989.

Speaking out on such relevant issues as the Ambulance crew overtime ban, she said, "Quite apart from its attacks generally on our NHS, the Tories have consistently neglected the dedicated workers who enable this essential service to operate. Those with front-line jobs, like our nurses and ambulance crews, are always in the back row, when it comes to pay awards."

She added, "It is because of poor pay and under-staffing that health workers are forced to work so much overtime. I wish the ambulance men and women success in their efforts to achieve a reasonable rate of pay for their stressful, skilled and vital work."

Ann was born in Hayes, educated at Bishopshalt School and worked as a School Secretary in a Hillingdon comprehensive until the birth of her first child.

She has lived in Hillingdon West since 1979 and became a member of the Labour Party in 1983. She was a local election candidate for Hillingdon West ward in 1986, when the ward recorded the highest swing to Labour in the entire borough.

She has served as a school governor at Hillingdon Junior and Infant schools and is currently Vice-Chairman of Uxbridge Labour Party and organiser of the Women's section.

The Labour Candidate holds strong views on a number of subjects, including the poll tax,
which is likely to be one of the key issues in the by-election.

Indeed, Hillingdon West ward considers the poll tax issue, a priority issue. All the more so, since it takes in Hillingdon Hospital nurses' accommodation, the RAF base and several new housing developments of mainly small homes - all groups which will be severely hit by the poll tax.

Ann Wake also had something to say on another topical issue - that of the Hillingdon Village proposed alterations. "I am totally opposed to alterations to the Uxbridge Road in the Hillingdon Village area, which will detract from the village atmosphere, spoil the recently-reclaimed village green and possibly damage older historic buildings by bringing heavy traffic flow closer. I am concerned about the accident record on this stretch, but I feel sure there must be alternative answers to road safety problems' other than diverting heavy traffic into this area."

On the by-election, she pointed out that it provided the opportunity for Hillingdon electors to end "the precarious and impractible years of 'hung' council and to begin a positive future with a Labour council." The Labour candidate also saw it as a chance "for voters to deliver their verdicts on the Tory government policies - the unjust poll tax, the attacks on our NHS, the proposed privatization of water and the government's total lack of commitment to environmental issues."
She noted that the Labour Party feels strongly about 'mother tongue' teaching to young students, is currently seeking land/building for the Islamic Centre and is committed to reviving the Asian Women's centre.

Garavi Gujarat

Hillingdon NALGO

A Union to be reckoned with
Hillingdon NALGO News & Views September 1989 At long last. NALGO members have won a decent pay settlement. The settlement worth in excess of 9.5%; for lower paid members and 8.6% for everyone else represents a great step forward for every union member. Not only have we achieved an increase in line with the going rate,in excess of inflation and which helps to deal with low pay, but we have also successfully defended our conditions of service and the system of national pay bargaining. What is more we have achieved this in the face of intransigence and hostility from our employers. The benefits to members will be much more far reaching than just receiving an extra 1.6% over and above that which would have been imposed. Of course the extra percentage will mean that we will all recoup the money lost through strike action. It will also mean that our base for future years' pay claims will be that much higher. We have ensured that our negotiators will continue to be able to negiosiatre on our behalf at a national level with our backing. Perhaps more importantly we have demonstrated to our employers, to our national negotiators and to our selves that we are capable of organising and following a programme of action sufficient, to win. This lesson will have repercussions not only for future pay claims but. also future negotiations on local issues. Our victory should not lead us into complacency however. The programme of selective indefinite action backed by short term all out. strikes was enough to win this time. That does not mean that such measures will always be enough under all circumstances. Selective action carries with it the danger of victimisation, particularly if used in a local dispute. It also allows the employers the opportunity to take the initiative by raising the stakes by threats or by intimidation. It is possible that in the event of action being necessary in future yoears our employers will be better prepared and more willing to use such tatics. If that is the case we must tie prepared to take up that challenge by involving all our- members. In winning our settlement in 1989 we have shown that we really are a union to be reckoned with. It does not mean that we will be balloting members on strike action every other day, rather than negotiate. But it does mean both locally and nationally that if negotiations break down our employers will know that not only can we threaten action we can deliver it. Our bottom line no longer has to be a grudging acceptance. For that we have ourselves to thank. Well done.

John Coutts Branch Secretary
Chris Smith

Ambulance Strike Hillingdon 1989-90

The Ambulance Strike 1989-1990

In November 1989 Ambulance crews at Hillingdon , Heathrow and Pinner were suspended during the Ambulance pay dispute of 1989-1990.

They had refused to cover non-emergency calls as did 68 other London stations

All were suspended and police and army were brought in to cover both emergency and non-emergency

However, suspended ambulance crews continued to provide an emergency service with a dedicated phone line/ Including a plea from staff at mount Vernon to take a severely injured car crash victim to Charring Cross Hospital.

The first local Army ambulance was used in Pinner on November 13th
The staff maintained a vigil at Hillingdon Ambulance station as well as collecting signatures in Uxbridge town centre.

The Ambulance staff had huge public support and the campaign was well run by union leader Roger Poole of NUPE. The success of which helped in securing at least a partial victory on pay and a rare defeat for the Conservatives

Local Stewards
Marion Way (NUPE)
John Drewery (COHSE)

GLC Fares Fair

FARES FAIR
The newly elected Labour controlled Greater London Council (GLC) of 1981 under leader Ken Livingstone, and his transport chair Dave Wetzel's introduced a new travel scheme called "Fares Fair", starting on the 4th of October 1981,

This scheme divided the GLC area into four zones. The "Fare Deal" flat fare area became the Outer Zone, the Inner Zone was a ring (approximately 3 miles wide) between the Outer and Central areas, and the Central area was divided into the West End Zone and the City Zone. "Fairs Fare" introduced very low fares, as all child fares were reduced from 10p to 5p, a 10p short hop fare returned and a journey all in was zone was down to 20p.

Unfortunately, the increase in the rates to fund "Fares Fair" was disliked by Conservative especially Bromley Council (leader Dennis Barkway), which resulted in the GLC being taken to court.

In the meantime, Conservative Minister Michael Hesletine at the Department of the Environment immediately clawed back £119million of the GLC's transport grant and Norman Fowler at the Department of Transport creamed £20million off the GLC's train subsidy

The GLC won but the court of appeal overturned the decision on the 10th of November. On the 17th of November 1981 the Law Lords upheld the decision of the court of appeal that the fares policy was illegal.

It put a stop to Fares Fair, the success of which, Livingstone maintains, was the primary reason for Margaret Thatcher's subsequent abolition of the GLC.

In March 1982 as a result of the cour ruling fares were increased by 96% and London's experiment with affordable public transport destroyed
John McDonnell (then a GLC councillor for Hayes) and other local Hayes people did attempt to emulate the Italian Communists, who faced with bus fare rises refused to pay. known as the "The Can't pay won't pay campaign" While the campaign secured good press coverage few opted to go through the tiresome process of taking bus journeys and refusing to pay the increased fare or chaining yourself to the bus and then having to give name and address to a usually unsympathetic Metropolitan Police officer. However, the Fares Fair scheme did win popular support and on Ken Livingstone election as Mayor of London, he re introduced similar schemes including the popular free travel for Children (once again under threat from the Capitals Conservatives)

Gareth Daniel - Ealing labour Party

Gareth Daniel is Chief Executive of Brent Council, having been appointed in September 1998. Prior to that, he had been head of the Council’s corporate policy, planning and projects team since January 1990.

He started his local government career as a social worker in Ealing Council in 1976 after graduating from Jesus College, Oxford with an honours degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

He was elected President of the Oxford University Student Union for the 1974-75 academic year. He started working for Brent Council in 1986, working for four years as a planning and policy manager in the Social Services Department.
He also served as a Greater London Council (GLC) for Ealing North and London Borough of Ealing councillor between 1981-90. He was Chair of Ealing Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee between 1986-90.

Born in 1954 and educated at St. Edwards’s College in Liverpool, he has lived and worked in West London since 1976 and has three children.
Selected for Ealing Acton 1982 (see above)

Hillingdon Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament (CND)

Secretary: Pat Abraham, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge
Chairperson: Betty Burns, West Mead, South Ruislip
Treasurer: Win Banger The Croft South Ruislip

Uxbridge Group: O'Leary
Ruislip: Betty Burns

established around late 1981 early 1982

In 1982 The Police stopped CND having a bookstall in Uxbridge claiming "obstruction" and the refusal of the Conservative Council to give permission

Hillingdon CND spent time targetting support for Greenham common.


Forty women marched from Cardiff on 27th august 1981 across Britain and then on to Greenhamth August 1981 and ended at Greenham Common on 5th September 1981. The American site had been selected as it was the first site for Cruise Missiles in Europe. The Peace camp closed in 2000

Peter Fagan Election Team 1987 General Election

Peter MacDonald (TGWU), Michael Walker (COHSE), Gina Pearson (TGWU), Christine Saunders(NALGO), Chris Malkin, Chris Rogers(CPSA), Karen Livney(GMB), Marrion Way (NUPE), Graham Tomlin (TASS), Brian Neighbour (TGWU), Ray Travell (TGWU), Tuffer Bowman (UCATT)

Trade union for Labour officers (TULO) Peter Marshall (COHSE) and John Fahy (USDAW)

Chris Rogers would be Assistant Agent then Mick Martin (TGWUOfficer)Agent for the election

All Labour newsletters to be called "The Voice"

Labour Party Headquarters at APEX (The white collar union) office Clayton Road (upstairs)

Uxbridge Progressive Chartist - John Bedford Leno

John Bedford Leno (1826-1894)
Chartist Leader and Poet
He was friends or meet with Owen, Marx, Jones, Harney,Morris, Kossuth, Garibaldi, Palmerston, Disraeli, Derby, Gladstone

His Autobiography "Aftermath" printed 1892 (only copy held by Uxbridge Library)

Born 29th June 1826 at No 14 Bell Yard, Uxbridge

Grandfather landlord of Catherine Wheel Public House in Cross Street,Uxbridge. His Father was a footman and Mother was a lady's maid and ran a Dame School

Left school aged 11, then a cow boy for his aunt at Stanwell Moor, rope maker, postman and many other jobs became an apprentice printer aged 14 starting at 6 in the morning and travelling 16 miles to work and back
When young he states he was to young to go to the Turks Head Public House were "intellectual gatherings" were held.

He left home after his second year of apprenticeship, however at the end of his apprentice printer was made bankrupt (as were many others) and Leno had to seek work abroad, tramping thousands of miles. He returned to Uxbridge in 1848 "disheartened and penniless" he then bought a press and went into printing

Married twice First wife "Sarah" 2 sons and 4 daughters, second wife 1 son and 4 daughters
"She (Sarah) lies in Finchley cemetery the daughter of a small Harefield farmer"

Leno had read the Northern Star Chartists paper and had gone on to help establish branch of Chartists in Uxbridge But Leno would recall that he and his friends were personally to scared "act of cowardice" to attend the Great Chartist Rally in London on 10th April 1848 convinced their would be violence from the Soldiers

He along with Gerald Massey and others Kimber, Hudson, Gurney, produced a manuscript paper which became the Uxbridge Pioneer.

Leno recalls that "The first number was hardly in existence before a split occurred among the conductors, owing to political differences and Gerald Massey and myself proposed to start a new paper in opposition"This paper became famous as The Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom

The Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom had been started with 15s raised from friends and the first edition arrived in April 1849

The chief contributors was Massey and Leno (as well as George Redrup and Edward Farrah a Shoemakers and John Rymill of Northampton)


Leno recalls "In order to attract attention Massey proposed that my brother Frederick then a mere youth should be dressed in imitation Guarde Mobile clothing, the reason given for the selection being the Civil Corps of Paris had joined the People." "How the clothing was obtained I do not remember, but on market day my brother was so dressed and to be seen vending to the farmers town and country people the first issue of this terrible in earnest treasonable publication"

According to later editions of the Spirit of Freedom 900 copies of the first edition were sold and secured "such a furore in the tory town of Uxbridge, as supposed ensued in the Temple when Christ upset the money changers" and the publication denounced from pulpits in the town.

John Bedford Leno in his autobiography "The Aftermath" states: "We had read the Northern Star and most of the Chartists' Publications then in existence and possibly turned to fthe idea that the effectiveness of an article was dependant upon the amount of treason it contained."


The Northern Star reported on the first edition of the Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom "Such a publication appearing in Manchester or Leeds would be nothing wonderful; but we must say we are agreeable surprised to find a small town like Uxbridge containing men who not only dare think of themselves, but who also determined to give free thoughts utterance, with the view of hastening the political and social emancipation of their order; and we most earnestly we wish them success"

The Uxbridge Spirit of freedom was also well received by Chartist leaders William Howitt and W.J. Linton. Howitt stating "Working men thus ably and eloquently advocating their own rights"

Leno states "After eight or ten numbers had been published Massey who had formed an acquaintance with Walter Cooper and Thomas Shorter both lecturers, the later at the Working Men's College. Left Uxbridge to take a berth as Secretary to the Tailors Association in Castle Street off Oxford Street within a month I was at his recommendation sent to take charge of the Working Printers Association" .

"Both Massey and myself on arriving in London were able to command a leading position".

Leno was narrowly defeated in an election the the Chartist Executive in 1850
"I had determined to be of the rank & file rather than a commander"


"In truth I was for rebellion and civil war, and despaired of ever obtain justice or what I then conceived it to be, save by revolution. while bitterly opposed to thoughts savouring of physical force now, i still hold that given certain condition its use is fully justifiable, the fact being that those who condemn its use in favour of right, seldom object to its use when wrong is to be conserved We have the examples of America, of France, of Italy of England before us, to confute those who declare that nothing is to be done by force but in nations where tyranny prevails and every attempt to obtain right is met with imprisonment, rebellion and war are justified"

"In my long life, I have had but one strong desire and that has been justice and freedom to all mankind"

Leno had marched with Fergus O'Connor from Windsor to set up his Land Colony at O'Connorville, Rickmansworth
Leno was a close fiend of George Julain Harney and attended the First International held in a cafe for French Exiles in Chapel street off Oxford Street. Leno became a member of the First International was a member of the International which meet in an upstairs room of Jacques Coffee Shop.

Leno was on the Board of the Chartist paper the Red Republican

Leno helped organise protest of 10,000 of Bonaparte visit in 1888 and organised the massive welcome demonstration for the great Italian liberator Garibaldi He helped print revolutionary leaflets to flood Russia in aid of Alexander Herzen

Leno from his early days a socialist, initially revolutionary but later Christan Socialist in his autobiography he states "With regard to socialism, i feel persuaded there is justice at the bottom of it, there is however no well thought out or rather satisfactory and its advocates seem to me to eager" Leno meet Karl Marx on several occasions and seems to have worked with George Eccarius a close associate of Marx

He went to Boston in America, but the employment opportunity fell through
He wrote for the"Commonwealth" The Future, The Christian Socialist, The Workman's Advocate, The and various other publication

Leno's "Song of the Spade", first published in the Dispatch, attracted the attention of Edward Capern 1819-1894), the Bideford postman, who said it one of best labour songs ever. His 100 Songs of Labour sold extensively in Britain and also in America

John Bedford Leno carried out organising work on behalf of the Joseph Arch new union for Agricultural labourers in 1872 many home counties, but especially Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire. he was also active in the eight hour day movementIn later life he was Election agent for Mr Rickman and James Acland Liberal Parliamentary candidate


Leno was a great admirer of Fergus O'Connor the great Irish liberator and Chartist leader Leno had marched with Fergus O'Connor from Windsor to set up his Land Colony at O'Connorville, Rickmansworth. And later organised funeral for O'Connor when Williams and O'Dally were imprisoned
Leno states "I had determined to be of the rank & file rather than a commander"

"In my long life, I have had but one strong desire and that has been justice and freedom to all mankind"

John Bedford Leno also wrote a book on Shoe making "The art of boot and Shoemaking - A practical handbook

Died 31st October 1894
buried at Uxbridge Cemetery

A plaque to John Bedford Leno was errected on the site, the chapel at the Kingston road end was demolished in the early 1950's and may have been lost then.

NOTE:
Reviews of the Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom
The sight of such a work has given us unfeigned pleasure. Go on, ye high spirited sons of toil, and the example ye have no nobly set in Uxbridge shall be imitated elsewhere.

Reynolds Miscellany

It is a thoroughly democratic journal and boldly written vindicator of the rights of the proletarian. We cordially wish it success, let the enemies of Justice look to it.

Northern Star.

This little periodical is highly creditable to the working class - it is full of a glowing spirit of freedom and independence. There is much talent displayed in it and the poetry, especially of Mr.Massey is of high promise. We recommend the work to the patronage of the industrial clashes .-

Standard of Freedom.

It is full of the talent and fire of true democracy, its' poetry is usually of a high order.

Democratic Review.

A thorough-going advocate of democracy, plainspeaking, and fearless utterance characterise every paper.

The Progressionist

I have just received the first number of your "Spirit" and am very much pleased with it. I trust you will succeed.

Thomas Cooper.

William Howitt expressed his pleasure at seeing "working men thus ably and eloquently advocating their own rights."



Quotes from August. No5 Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom.

NOTE

John Rymill of Spring gardens, Northampton

He (and his bothers also of Northampton) associated with Red Republican, and Friends of the People both Chartist/radical paper run by Harney

wrote for The Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom articles such as "Englands true nobility" and "Why are we poor"


John Rymill also wrote for John Small (Buckingham) "The Progressionist" and that periodical was acquired by R.G. Gammage was turned into a weekly periodical but lasted just 48 editions
John Rymill refers tin the Uxbridge Spirit of Freedom edition 7 article Something for Democrats to do October 1849 of the Chartist prisoners "immured in gloomy dungeons" or
"Transported far from their land of birth, because they loved it, not wisely, but too well"


He also refers to Clayton and Holbery were murdered by horrible prison discipline of the base, brutal, and bloody whigs and that another victim has fallen Williams

he ends withthe following rallying call

"Solders of Democracy, unfurl the red banner-
Red! blood red! ay, wherefore not!
the Freeman's and, but ernest sign!

Arouse, from all lethargy! stand up in glorious manhood - and do battle for our common rights; spread the flag of Chartism to the breeze; political and social justice be the watch-word!

We fight to vanquish tyranny - we fight to punish wrong-
we fight to free the slave
Hurrah! hurrah! for the fight!

John Rymill I understand was also involved/established the Northampton Democratic Tea League
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chartist Uniform
Chartist rosette, white blouses, black belts,green caps with red stripes

--------------------------------------

John Rymill Northampton Chartist Born Banbury 6th November 1824 Died Northampton 10th June 1913 

At Young age Cork Cutter apprenticed to Mr Bissell (Bridge Street, Northampton) - Later set up Cork cutting business with two brothers at 15 Newland

A Wesleyan joined breakaway Baptist church Rev H Bradford (St Michael's Road) 

Friend of Ernest Jones & Gerald Massey 

Bradlaugh Riot (made his escape from the Lord Palmerston)

Nine Children 

later life resided with daughter Mrs Shape at Wantage road

Buried Billingham Road Cemetery

Councillor Nehemiah Lawson Shakespeare - Hayes

Nehemiah Lawson Shakespeare

A former magistrate and Labour chairman of the Hayes & Harlington Urban District Council has died in Hillingdon Hospital after a long illness.

Mr Nehemiah Lawson Shakespeare — who often used his second name, Lawson — died last week. He was 86.

MrLawson Shakespeare was a member of the former Haves and Harlington Urban district Council for 19 years. he was Chairman from 1954-1955

Draftsman

Mr Shakespeare became a Justice of the Peace in 1955 and for many years served as an Uxbridge magistrate.

He was also involved in several other committees and organisations.

In 1946 he founded the Hayes and Harlington Community Association.

Mr Shakespeare spent 21 years on the Southern Electricity Board consultation committee and 16 years as a member of the Southall Technical College governing committee.

He was also a former chairman of the St Bernard Hospital (Mental hospital) management committee.

Mr Shakespeare, of Little Road, Hayes, retired for Thorn EMI in 1965 after working for 36 years as a design draftsman (member of the DATA union). He is survived by his wife, Ethel, and two sons, Raymond and Kenneth.

His funeral was at Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip, on Wednesday

Gazette 28 February 1985

Hillingdon Voice 1985

Councillor Tony Potts - Hillingdon

Tony Potts



Former London Borough of Hillingdon Labour councillor Tony Potts is to become the Mayor of Labour Gloucester.

Mr Potts left London 10 years ago for Gloucester, where he was recently elected as the city's 508th Mayor.

The 43-year-old man, who was brn and educated in Hillingdon, served on the Labour controlled London Borough of Hillingdon council between 1971 and 1978.

While in Hillingdon he joined the Labour Party in 1964 was employed as an Auditor, member of the TGWU and Co-op Party
In Gloucester, he will preside over the hung council on which all the chair- manships of spending committees will be held by Labour following succes ses in the local elections.

"Gloucester is a beauti ful city in a beautiful county," said Mr Potts. "I met my wife here and my children were born here. I would like to give some- thing back to Gloucester to repay what it has given me."

NOTE:

Circa Gazette late 1980's

Hillingdon SDP Confusion

Confusion for SDP
Uxbridge Gazette June 20th 1990 There has been mixed reaction from Hillingdon members to the announcement of the death of David Owen's SDP.

Barrie Griffiths, former chairman of the Hayes constituency party, spoke of the loss of a great leader and admitted many members were now in no-man's land.

"Dr Owen is too good to lose from the political scene," he said. "It is very sad there is not a place for a man like this in British politics."

Mr Griffiths, a founder member who stood for election twice in Botwell ward, Hayes, pointed out the irony that the Labour Party had now taken on policies the SDP was putting forward nine years ago.

"David Owen stayed true to his principles, unlike Labour," said Mr Griffiths, who lives in Hayes. He ruled outvoting for the only surviving centre party, the Liberal Democrats, which many of his SDP former allies joined two years ago.

"The SDP was a breath of fresh air," he said. "Others just jumped on the bandwagon. I am back to where I was before the party was formed in 1981."

Another former SDP founder member, Beryl Bell, who went along with Paddy Ashdown's new party, thought it unlikely Dr Owen would join them. "It was a democratic decision to merge," she said. "Damage has been done by some of the SDP going it alone, and there has been confusion about the names. "At first, I would have liked Dr Owen in the merged party but some now feel very bitter about him." Mrs Bell, of Leven Way, Hayes, a former Labour councillor, praised Dr Owen, Bill Rodgers, Shirley Williams and Roy Jenkins for their courage in 1981.

Note
Neville Sandelson Hayes & Harlington MP defected to the SDP

Sue Slipman (ex Communist party student) stood as SDP candidate for Hayes & Harlington and secured very poor vote (she later joined (?) the Conservative Party with Harrow West SDP and SDP LSE student organiser Daniel Finkelstein )

Sue Slipman stated at the 1987 SDP conference that "The SDP should retain the classless opportunities provided by Thatherism" and that "The SDP should civilise the Thatcherite project" and that "The SDP should be a friendly critic of Thatherism"
The SDP never secured an electoral foothold in Hayes and only one Social & Liberal Democrat Councillor in the 1980s-1990's in Tony Little in Harlington

Piara Khabra later MP for Southall and Indian Workers Association was consistently blocked from rejoining the Hayes Labour Party because of his SDP membership (he later joined in Ealing)

Hayes Labour Councillors who defected to the SDP include Bob Lewis, Ron Williams, Maggie Broughton, Beryl Bell, Jim Doel (Group Leader of SDP Councillors),

Bob Lewis was disowned by the SDP after setting up with Jim Doel a Hillingdon SDP "Think Tank" called the Tawney Society on who's behalf in September 1982 he stated
"I am disturbed by the number of immigrants coming into this country from East Africa and India....if they keep on with this steady trickle of immigrants they are going to have warfare in the streets" and Jim Doel said " We have got to accept it as a problem and redefine our attitudes to it" Ron Williams stated they had no authority to make the statement

The Hillingdon Tawney Society claimed ten members

Captain Hubert Beaumont MP (1883-1948) Yiewsley & West Drayton

Captain Hubert Beaumont MP (1883-1948)

lived at Crows Nest West Drayton , previously at Frays Avenue, Yiewsley

Trade union official

born in 1883, educated at Saltley Coll and Ruskin College, Oxford

member of Derbyshire County Council 1914-1925

member of Yiewsley & West Drayton Urban District Council 1914-1939

Unsuccessfully contested Aldershot in 1924, Harrow in 1929, Peckham in 1931 and Colchester in 1935.

Elected Batley & Morley Member of Parliament in March 1939

member of Luxmoore Commission on Agricultural Education June 1943-1944

Parliamentary Private Secretary to Tom Williams MP Secretary of State for Agriculture 1940-1945

Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons

Member of Parliament for Batley & Morley when he died 2nd December 1948

His wife was Beatrix Alice Beaumont, Frays Avenue, Yiewsley
First elected women to Yiewsley & West Drayton UDC in 1933