You'll have to make your own mind up about the following statement from the Labour Group (see the text in mauve further below)
To me, as a political outsider, it leaves a rather bad taste.
As a resident and TRA, area TRA panel and Clapton Arts Trust secretary I can tell you cllr Kelly has been heaven sent as far as we are concerned.
Linda has worked tirelessly on our behalf and has been very effective with too many achievements to list here.
I find it very hard to believe Linda's move has anything to do with the speaker position directly, although as a subsequent outcome of the real reason, it must have added fuel to the fire.
After all, the convention is that the deputy speaker becomes the speaker and Linda did a great job as deputy. I don't know how many times Linda had to apologize for missing a Clapton Panel or TRA meeting because of a call to fill in as deputy speaker (even though, the speaker apparently accepted then cancelled 55 engagements at the last minute without asking her deputy to step in). Linda has great experience, did her time as deputy so should have got the job, but that is beside the point.
The statement below is provocative and has the ring of "half truth" about.
It's this sort of thing that puts people (like me) off politics.
The statement uses the very letter and part of the real reason (calling for all councils to refuse to set legal budget) that led to Linda being threatened with expulsion - ie. if she did vote against the budget and refused to support Jules Pipe position of accepting the cuts.
Mayor Pipe is leader of the 17 labour "London Councils" and took umbrage to Linda asking that all 17 stand up against the govt.
Mayor Pipe is leader of the 17 labour "London Councils" and took umbrage to Linda asking that all 17 stand up against the govt.
Linda has been in among the lead of the fight against the cuts from the start.
This is the offending call to arms letter:
and
Linda's position on the cuts hasn't changed and she will continue to set residents needs above all else, including the party line - the very reason we will continue to vote for her at the Beecholme Estate.
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Statement from Hackney Labour Group
from a spokesperson:
It's a shame for Cllr Linda Kelly that she has decided to join the Conservative Party, following 9 years as a Labour councillor in Hackney.
Cllr Linda Kelly wanted to become the Speaker of Hackney for a second time, and in a recent election, Labour councillors chose another councillor for the civic post. Linda was not happy with this outcome and it seems that she decided she could no longer continue as a Labour councillor.
She recently issued a statement saying:
"The Con-Dem Coalition is attacking the fabric of a civilised society... We would like to see local Councils across London leading the charge and refusing to adopt cuts budgets as a result of government enforced policies and producing a Needs Budgets to show what should be funded.... We are facing a national and international emergency and this calls for exceptional measures to mobilise our people and defeat the Con-Dem Coalition."
It's a shame for Cllr Linda Kelly that she has decided to join the Conservative Party, following 9 years as a Labour councillor in Hackney.
Cllr Linda Kelly wanted to become the Speaker of Hackney for a second time, and in a recent election, Labour councillors chose another councillor for the civic post. Linda was not happy with this outcome and it seems that she decided she could no longer continue as a Labour councillor.
She recently issued a statement saying:
"The Con-Dem Coalition is attacking the fabric of a civilised society... We would like to see local Councils across London leading the charge and refusing to adopt cuts budgets as a result of government enforced policies and producing a Needs Budgets to show what should be funded.... We are facing a national and international emergency and this calls for exceptional measures to mobilise our people and defeat the Con-Dem Coalition."
It will be interesting to see what her new Tory allies in Hackney think of her anti Coalition Government stance.
Leabridge ward had the lowest Tory vote in London in May 2010 (5.3%), so she has no mandate to continue as a councillor in that ward. Leabridge ward still has two hard working Labour councillors and Linda should resign and fight a by-election so that residents there are given the chance to decide on who represents their interests best.
• • •
Whatever the full story, its obvious the Hackney Labour group and the Mayor have real problems when a councillor of Linda's stature and experience leaves and other councillors say they "struggle to recognize the group they joined"
Before Linda came on the scene Leabridge was marginal and during the last 9 years Linda, along with Ian and Deniz, have made the ward one of the safest in London.
Linda has stated she won't resign and as residents and her constituents, we support her all the way.
Over 2,800 votes were cast for Linda personally at the last election and that definitely does give her a mandate to represent Leabridge residents.
by David White (Sec B&C TRA)
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Councillor Linda Kelly told me she did consider becoming an Independant Labour candidate but was told there is no such animal, so couldn't.
The choice then was Lib-dem or Conservative and given the makeup of Hackney conservative councillors, chose them - not least because they accept Linda's fight against the cuts will continue.
Linda has stated:
"I will continue with my work, fighting for constituents' rights.
My surgery is first Sunday of every month except August, 11.00 - 12.00 at the Beecholme Est Hall.
or: lindaannkelly@yahoo.co.uk"
Linda has stated:
"I will continue with my work, fighting for constituents' rights.
My surgery is first Sunday of every month except August, 11.00 - 12.00 at the Beecholme Est Hall.
My mobile: 07590 370 226
Personal email: lindaannkelly@gmail.com
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See the post below about the move to the conservatives:
or just scroll down
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