COMMENT: Has Labour Lost Its Marbles?

4.17.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Sep 2008

It used to be Greece that wanted it's marbles back but lately Labour Lambeth seems to have completely lost theirs. The latest in a whole series of attacks on residents on restricted incomes simply defies belief. Labour plans to increase its tenants heating bills by 162.2%.

More than 5,000 tenants living on estates face an increase of £13.41 a week just for the privilege of staying warm this winter.

On top of this shock some 18,500 tenants on estates will have to pay an extra 77% for communal lighting. That's a whopping surcharge just for you to stay safe.

There's been no consultation, naturally, and not a lot of justification, either. Much lies shrouded in mystery. Like why it has taken since April when the new heating contract was awarded to announce such a draconian increase. If Labour gets its way at "Cabinet" in September these unwelcome bills will start being charged just in time for Christmas.

And there may be more pain to come. Word reaches us that this staggering increase is only for this financial year.

We are left wondering why energy costs are mysteriously and astronomically higher in Lambeth? Statistics show that recent energy company increases, although steep, are averaging between 30-40%. Why, therefore, should hard-pressed Lambeth council tenants pay four or times more than someone living in luxury in Mayfair?

Could it be that LabourPower is to blame? Could it be that LabourPower is making a profit out of poverty?

Our not completely fictional energy company LabourPower is a crude monopoly round here. Council tenants have no choice but to put up and pay up whatever it demands. Let's face it, LabourPower is also highly inefficient. It has run up massive losses elsewhere in the organization, so someone has to pay. That's you, by the way.

The directors, all young, high earning city types with very few family responsibilities, can hardly be expected to take a cut in the handsome bonuses (special responsibility

allowances) they've voted for themselves on top of their fat salaries. They're out of touch and proud of it.

Fortunately there's a break cause in the contract. Come the election in 2010, they can all be sent packing.