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plummeted in the hands of the most reactionary Tory, government since Baldwin, the frustration of railwaymen at their leaders' inactivity bubbled angrily.

The spate of unofficial strikes tailed off, partly because there was a lull in further modernization and sackings on the railways-soon to be renewed-and partly while workers watched to see how the new government would implement its declared aim of smashing the so-called wages spiral.

In 1971 the new Rail Board chief and Labourite Richard Marsh made the shape of things to come unmistakably clear when he said that his job was to run a business not a social service' By the end of the year-as good as his word—it was A work-to-rule and go-slow began at midnight on April 16 and lasted until the reformist leaders of the three rail unions bowed to the 'law of the land' on Friday April 21 and ordered the resumption of normal working in response to an order from the National Industrial Relations Court.

The enemy was once again advancing and the reformists were once again retreating.

The Tory decision to use the NIRC against the railwaymen with penalties for disobedience threw the entire trade union bureaucracy, from the TUC downwards, into confusion and led, ultimately, to a reversal of the policy of non-co-operation with the Industrial Relations Act.

The climb-down of their leaders threw rank-and-file railwaymen into confusion. he could not agree to less than £20 a week to be paid from May 1.

None of this meant that the reformists had changed their spots. Sir Sidney was at pains to emphasize on Monday night—when the 14-day order expired-that the unions were obeying the law to the letter.

It was in fact the familiar game of pushing the government to the legal limit.

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IN MANY parts of the country tenants are now coming face to face with the right wing in the Labour-controlled town halls who plan to implement the Tory "fair rents Bill.

Just ten days ago angry tenants besieged Islington Town Hall in North London when the council-which is 100-per-cent Labour, apart from six Tory aldermen-held a regular meeting.

But the right wing-which had previously swung the Labour group 34-20 in favour of implementation-refused to take motions on the Bill from the minority group, ruling them This week I spoke to two leaders continuing the fight against the Tories. They are Harry Weston, chairman of Islington Council Tenants and Private Tenants' Action Group and secretary Vic Cordwell, who is also a Labour coun"The reasons the council have given for implementing are just not on,' said Mr Weston. 'I think they are nothing more than a smokescreen to get off the hook. The main reason for going ahead is their fear of being surcharged 'Rebel' Labour councillor Vic Cordwell looks at a new housing development which could demand {12-a-week rent.

Housing Correspondent out of order.

cillor, now threatened with expulsion.

by the government.

'All those councillors who have capitulated before the Bill is even law have played no part in stopping it coming into force.' knock back wages. Anyone who goes out to work will be forced on to a rebate. And extra money he earns will mean a reduction in the rebate.

The Tories accuse the working class of dictating and holding the country to ransom. But they are becoming dictators with th: 'aw they make.

'If all this goes unchallenged, "The attitude of the Labour council is killing any chance of a Labour government. Because if tenants think their behaviour is what to expect from another Labour government they won't go out and vote.

'This is not preparing . the people for a fight. Islington ienants are feeling vicious and bitter about the majority of the