P.m. Wins First Stage (Press, 14 April 1984)
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Summary: P.m. Wins First Stage (Press, 14 April 1984)
On 14 April 1984, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher successfully advanced the first phase of her plan to eliminate Labour-led councils in London and six other metropolitan areas, despite opposition from some senior Conservative Party members who termed the action undemocratic. In a recent parliamentary vote, Thatcher overcame a Conservative revolt, securing the bill's passage with 301 votes in favour and 208 against. This legislation will effectively annul the local elections scheduled for the following year in these areas and is set to lead to the councils' abolition by 1986. The measure presents a significant setback for the Labour Party, particularly marking the decline of the Greater London Council (G.L.C.), the last major Labour stronghold in southern England. Ken Livingstone, the young and controversial leader of the G.L.C., who has gained widespread recognition since taking office three years ago, faces political extinction as a result of these changes. Livingstone has been a polarising figure, known for his radical policies such as declaring London a nuclear-free zone, supporting LGBTQ+ rights and funding minority groups, as well as initiating discussions with supporters of the banned Irish Republican Army. He has been labelled derogatorily by some media, being referred to as “the most odious man in Britain.” The proposed changes have drawn significant criticism, particularly from prominent Conservatives, including former Prime Minister Edward Heath, who condemned the plan as "the greatest gerrymandering of the last 150 years of British history." Thatcher’s strategy focuses on dismantling the G.L.C. and similar city councils, intending to pass responsibility for public services to local boroughs. Critics, including Livingstone and his supporters, argue that the abolition of the G.L.C. is a tactic aimed at thwarting socialist governance in London, claiming that the cancellation of elections is a calculated move to prevent the return of a Labour administration after the polls.
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