This week 30 years ago: ‘Snooping’ Margaret Hodge interrogates Islington Council officials on who they vote for

Islington Council leader Margaret Hodge was trying to find out which political party town hall officials were voting for.

Labour’s Cllr Hodge was putting pressure on those earning over £17,000 a year to fill in a “snooper’s charter” form, giving information about their perosonal and financial interests.

Other questions included “are you a Freemason?”, “do you belong to the Townswomen’s Guild?” and “what is your wife/husband’s job?”

Cllr Hodge assured: “It is simply in the interests of good local government that public servants should demonstrate openly any interests they have.”

But opposition Social Democrat leader Cllr David Hyams said: “The staff should stand firm against this snooper’s charter. Margaret Hodge has no right to know whether they are Conservatives, Social Democrats or loony Labour.

“I don’t care what their politics or outside interests are, as long as they do their job properly.”