before his local party in Lewisham kicked him out. The revelations in the press about Mellish's past has strengthened the determination of the local party to re-select Peter Tatchell as their parliamentary candidate.
Although the timetable for Bermondses has selecuon yet been agreed Mellish could resign nls seat endorse ment of Tatchell if it suits him. Mellish is no longer position Foot's arm, nor can he nersuade the Labour Parti to keep on attacking Tatchell, and it looks almost certain now that will get endorsed by the Labour Party national executive.
But it is on the cards that either Mellish, candidate port, will stand as an independen against Labour. wannes Dellg touted are, Coral Newmar the independent Southwark councillor, who Mellish supported ir the local government elec tions, or John O'Grady who is the ex-leader of the Southwark council and is still in the Labour Party Support for Mellish 1 noW restricted to two wards and he badly needs a aereement SDP/Liberal Alliance, which would make sure ine anti-laicnel VOLe not split. This is however a LOURI propositiol Although the he politics of Mellish, th local Liberals are not at a happy about him and hi record Over the last months the Bermondsey, left and Tatchell havi been out Seven mores Ta che has the area. visited over and has had a great He has fought response against the closure of Olaves hospital and is bitterv onposed to the lae of it being used as a centre police riot training
By Redmond O'Neill