Uri makes harmony in Hackney.

9^th July 1998

HACKNEY Gazette

View from Kingsland Road by editor James Hislop

Harmony? It’s all in the mind

HOORAY it worked! Now there were those of you who no doubt poopoo’ed our attempt with Uri Geller to get Hackney’s councillors to stop bickering and get on with their jobs.

But look. We’ve got a letter this week from Labour leader David Manion saying that they are all cooperating down on Mare Street.

Marvellous. Some people may say a personnel change on the council benches has had the most effect, but I’m putting it down to Gazette readers and their amazing Mindpower.

Thousands took part in the experiment, Uri says, and look at the result.

Frankly, I don’t think the town hall could possibly have carried on as it did before the elections in May, and I’m sure that many of our present councillors – re-elected and brand new – were well aware of it.

But who’s to say it wasn’t the psychic pressure of thousands of Hackney people who tipped the balance.

So my message to Hackney-councillors is this – if you really are in harmony, keep it up – our reporters and readers are watching.