The very day that I put up my post on the East Dulwich urban/suburban debate I received the following from Tessa Jowell’s office.

Now I would never seek to misrepresent the views of Tessa or any other Labour representative. But if she and Labour locally really disagree with Livingstone’s policy, then why did they campaign during the local elections by sending out letters defending the policy?  The letters were written by Ken (he being the only half popular Labour politician in town) but they were printed and published locally on behalf of the Labour candidates in an election campaign that was run by…….Tessa Jowell.    

Office of Tessa Jowell MP | jowellt@parliament.uk | IP: 194.60.38.10

Just in case there is any attempt to mis-represent Tessa Jowell’s position on this (heaven forbid). It hasn’t changed since the release reproduced below and has been publicly re-stated on a number of occasions. It is also shared by all Labour representatives locally.

7 December 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TESSA JOWELL CALLS ON MAYOR TO RETAIN SUBURBAN DESIGNATION OF EAST DULWICH AND HERNE HILL

LOCAL MP ASKS KEN TO RETHINK HIS OBJECTIONS

Tessa Jowell today backed the designation of parts of East Dulwich and Herne Hill as ‘suburban’.

The Dulwich and West Norwood MP called on Ken Livingstone to withdraw his objections to Southwark Council’s plans to keep East Dulwich and Herne Hill designated as ‘suburban’ rather than ‘urban’ in its Unitary Development Plan.

In her letter to the Mayor Tessa said:

‘These areas are classically suburban in character and I do feel that the suburban designation is an important one to retain the unique feel of these areas as well as of Dulwich itself.

‘I do hope that you withdraw your objections to Southwark’s decision and allow [the relevant] parts of East Dulwich and Herne Hill to remain as suburban in their designation.

[ENDS]