Councillors should not be afraid to stand up to cuts

I attach a photo of the Lambeth councillors outside the Appeal Court in 1986 - our appeal was based on our manifesto commitments of no cuts in jobs or services. One of the three law lords who heard our appeal told us we had "reached the pinnacle of political perversity" to use such a defence as "no-one expects politicians to keep their election promises."

We lost our appeal, of course, and were removed from office - but to those councillors who are now deciding on budgets dictated by the coalition government, I would say that there is life after surcharge and loss of office.

Noel Hannon

London SW8