Butterfields tenants and campaigners with John McDonnell, Sept 2016 (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
John McDonnell pledges to help Butterfields tenants
A press release from Waltham Forest Trades Council
Butterfields tenants joined a packed Momentum rally on Friday 3rd September at St Barnabas church in support of Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour leadership election.
The star speaker Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was met with rapturous applause, particularly when he proclaimed, “A Labour government would build a million council homes and introduce rent controls” – exactly what all tenants so badly need especially in ‘up-and-coming’ Walthamstow.
However, the tenants of Butterfields cannot wait until 2020. They need help now. Families are under threat of eviction by their greedy asset-stripping landlords Butterfields E17 Ltd. Several court summons have been issued in the last two weeks. The situation is urgent.
John acknowledged the lively Butterfields Won’t Budge campaign, and met with tenants at the end of the meeting. Nicole Holgate said: “He listened and promised to do all he could to help us. We think that’s great”.
He also commented that he might be able to pursue RBS. This is the bank bailed out by taxpayers not so long ago, and that is now behind the landlords in their attempts to boot out … taxpayers! Also he offered to re-tweet our financial appeal for when we go to court. Linda Taaffe of WF Trades Council said: “This is a real boost for the campaign to stay, and will encourage tenants to stay strong”.
