News from Westminster Labour

Email blunder reveals Conservative concerns at Westminster Council

Westminster Conservative backbenchers plot new committee to discuss growing “concerns”.

Conservative Backbench Councillors in Westminster are planning a new “1922 Committee” to voice their concerns about the current Council leadership of Councillor Colin Barrow and Chief Whip Councillor Melvin Caplan, according to an email sent by mistake to Labour Councillors.

The email, sent by Councillor Christabel Flight, wife of ex-Conservative MP Howard Flight, says:

Dear Colleague,

I have been asked by several colleagues if I would be willing to set up a Westminster Council equivalent to the l922 committee in Parliament. This would provide a forum for “Backbench” Councillors (i.e. anyone who is not in the Cabinet) to discuss Westminster Council policy issues; would be a conduit for any material “concerns” to be taken up with appropriate Cabinet colleagues and could discuss wider political issues. I suggest it should meet monthly.

I felt it appropriate to talk to Colin about this. He feels it would be useful and a good idea. Colin has been thinking of running a series of round table Chinese dinners to improve communication with Councillors – which I welcome – although this is a separate initiative to the l922 Committee proposal.

I have targeted the first meeting for Friday, 24th September 6.30 to 7.30p.m. here at 6, Barton Street, for “Backbench” Councillors, but in the meantime can you please let me have your comments and any particular suggestions.

The idea is that Back Bench Councillors will then elect a chairman analogous to the l922 Committee.

Very best wishes,

Christabel

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said: “At the last Council meeting in July we called for the resignations of Council Leader Colin Barrow and Finance boss and Chief Whip Melvin Caplan because of their huge financial blunders, including a £20 million hole in the Council’s budget and £17 million invested in now-failed Icelandic Banks, which have led to hundreds of staff sackings, wholesale service cuts and increased charges. Now it looks like we are not alone, with Conservative back bench Councillors now mounting their own challenge to the many failures of the current Council Leadership. The writing is on the wall for Councillors Barrow and Caplan. They have lost the confidence of the Council from left to right. It is only a matter of time before they are kicked out by their own side and they should both go sooner rather than later.”

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