LETTER : Hodge's legacy in Islington

From Cllr Steve Hitchins

Sir: Margaret Hodge's belated efforts to apologise, yet avoid blame, for Islington's childcare disaster will not wash. ("Who can politicians believe?", 25 May).

It is the responsibility of elected office to sift the advice before making decisions, not to find scapegoats. If the officers were so wanting, why did she decide, as leader, not to show them the door?

How can Ms Hodge claim that Islington's equal opportunities policy "was never raised"? It was rarely off the front page throughout the 1980s, with tabloid headlines on "Free Gym Mats for Lesbians" and "Baa Baa Black Sheep Banned". The policy was criticised at the time by the then-SDP opposition, but the Labour Party defended and sustained it, labelling critics racist and homophobic.

It is wrong to blame the press for the handling of this scandal. Without the press's persistent coverage, Islington Council would have buried the issue in anonymous reports that may never have reached even the most obscure council sub-committee.

How much has changed? Islington is probably the last council to have separate equalities committees (Gay & Lesbian, Women and Race Equality) - all legacies from the Hodge era. And the staff code still puts protection of staff above the delivery of efficient services.

At a time when the stock of politicians - particularly those in government - is so low, a strong moral lead from opposition parties is required. Born-again apologists such as Margaret Hodge surely have no place in "new" Labour.

Yours sincerely,

STEVE HITCHINS

Islington Council

London, N1

25 May

The writer is a Liberal Democrat.