ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the use of cultural policy as a strategy of response to the emergence of new urban social movements in the case of two local authorities governed by the 'new left': the first is Rome City Council for the period during which it was controlled by the Italian Communist Party (PCI), from 1976 to 1985; the second is the Labour Greater London Council from 1981 until its abolition in 1986. The 'integrationalist' leadership of the Labour Party stressed the autonomy of culture: cultural policy issues were seen as less politically controversial than issues around the economy, industrial relations, defence, and so on. The chapter assesses the legacy of the cultural policy experience of the new left in both Rome and London and address the question of its influence on the national cultural policies of the PCI and the Labour party.
