Ironman, Westminster Council Housing Scandal Campaign
The poster ‘Ironman’ headlined ‘We are a little worried about our landlord’ was part of a successful council tenants campaign, which began in 1986 when Westminster City Council were going to sell 1,000 social housing units to the private sector.
The campaign highlighted the Conservative ‘home for votes’ policy of Westminster Council led by Shirley Porter. By using humour and clear messaging the campaign turned the policy into a national scandal.
Image: The Walterton and Elgin Community Action Group ran a campaign against the gerrymandering policies of the Conservative led Westminster Council during the 1980s.
The punchy visuals, bold and varied typography, and thoughtful colour palettes seen in this particular campaign were typical of the posters created by the studio throughout its existence. As young creatives, the designers and artists working on the posters were inspired by design from all over the world. “The posters were definitely Pop inspired,” says John Phillips, co-founder of the Paddington Printshop. “As well as influenced by Cuban posters, and lots of Japanese designers such as Tadanori Yokoo.”
The homes for votes scandal was a gerrymandering controversy involving the Conservative-led Westminster City Council in London. Having narrowly maintained their control of the council in the 1986 local elections, Conservative councillors initiated a programme of selling off council homes in eight marginal wards, in the belief that owner-occupiers were more likely to vote Conservative than council tenants. Hostels in the marginal wards were closed, with some homeless people moved into condemned accommodation. The policy came to an end after it was exposed on the BBC current affairs programme Panorama in 1989. On investigation, the policy was ruled to be illegal. Former leader of the Council Dame Shirley Porter was found liable for wilful misconduct and ordered to repay £36.1m. She eventually settled with the council for a sum of £12.3 million.
The Paddington Printshop worked with the Walterton and Elgin Community Action Group to oppose the sale and privatisation of Council owned properties in 1983. The organisation sustained a six-year campaign, which ultimately lead to the residents gaining ownership control of their own estate, and their organisation become a model of resident controlled social housing.
The issues experienced in the 1980s are still with us today. By standing together against unfair policies we can make a difference.