News from Brent Labour

Brent bears brunt of “frightening Lib Dem contempt for democracy”

Fryent ward councillors Jim Moher, Ruth Moher and George Crane, supported by the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Ann John, have sent an open letter to the Leader and Deputy Leader of Brent Council and to the Chief Executive and Director of Environment with a copy to all councillors and local MPs calling on the council to implement the decision taken by the council on 2nd March in respect of the Kingbury Road traffic scheme. The Council voted by 36 votes to 27 to instruct officers to scrap the proposed scheme and by a similar margin to scrap the proposed parking charges to be imposed on council staff. However, the Liberal Democrats, who control the Executive, have chosen to ignore the full council decision and are not even willing to allow the Highways Committee to reconsider its original decision.

The Labour Group has now called an extraordinary group meeting on Monday 16 March to consider ways of restoring democracy to Brent Council. A judicial review, a vote of no confidence in the Executive or even the dismissal of the current Executive and its replacement by an Executive made up of councillors committed to majority rule are all options under consideration.

Labour Leader, Councillor Ann John, said:

“Brent Liberal Democrats are neither liberal nor democratic and their decision to ignore the views of local councillors, local residents and the whole council shows a frightening contempt for democracy. We have now to consider how best to restore local democracy in Brent and we are willing to work with democrats in all parties to achieve that.”

Other news from Brent Labour

• Liberal Democrat councillors go AWOL in Brent - 23 January 2012
• Brent Labour condemns privatisation of 999 Control Room Function - 21 January 2012
• Brent Labour brands Clegg's party the "Fib Dems" over broken promises - 21 October 2010