Hackney Labour stifles "cuts" talk

Shouldn't councillors have the right in a democratic group to suggest action against the cuts without being punished for simply suggesting it?

It seems all councillor Linda Kelly did was ask that a stand with all 17 councils be tried*, (at no same time suggesting the party line or whip be disregarded) and was accused of "undermining the collective position of the Group", threatened with possible expulsion and had the speaker position (with some quick changes to established procedure) taken from her and given to a novice councillor "purely on political grounds".

I understand the Speaker usually has at least had the experience of being deputy if not considerable experience as a councillor, so to give the position to a novice (however good) was calculated to humiliate and punish.

The consensus among residents seems to be that the cuts are indeed a step too far, too fast.

For the 17 London Labour Groups simply to agree to all the cuts and take draconian action against individual councillors to stifle open discussion of a feasible alternative can't be right.

"Do as I do, say what I say - or else" seems to be the phrase to keep in mind if you are a labour councillor in Hackney. The trouble is that the "or else" seems to include misinformation, outright lies and whatever else it takes.


Is it any wonder cllr Kelly left the Labour Group.

Politics as usual then, I hear you say? ...I hope not.

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* see: "Labour councillors on the cuts - another view"

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•                              20 May 2011
• London Evening Standard (West End Final A)
•                                                                           by Mark Blunden

(click on the article blow to see it large size)

see also:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23951964-hackney-run-like-dictatorship-mayor-accused-as-councillor-defects-to-tories.do

http://hackneycitizen.co.uk/2011/05/19/hackney-labour-councillor-defects-to-conservatives/