News from Westminster Labour

Labour call for Westminster leadership candidates to make their manifestos public

Labour Councillors have called on the Westminster Council Conservative leadership contenders to make public their secret election manifestos currently circulating to the 48 Conservative Councillor electors who will decide the future direction of one of the most important Councils in Britain.

Local sources say that Knightsbridge & Belgravia Councillor Philippa Row has sent her glossy colour election brochure by hand-delivery to the 47 Conservative Councillors whose votes she wants. West End Councillor Jonathan Glanz has circulated a 20 page ‘call to action’, while his West End Ward colleague has sent out an email with her election message. So far, there is no news of how the fourth contender, Pimlico Councillor Ed Argar intends to persuade his fellow Conservatives to vote for him.

Labour say that all the Leadership election manifestos should be deposited in Westminster’s libraries, made available to the press and displayed on the Westminster Council website, at the very least.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group said; “It is a scandal that this election is being held in secret. Residents have a right to know in what directions the four leadership contenders intend to take the Council. Will there be more cuts to front-line services? Will charges for meals on wheels, school dinners, rents and parking continue to rise? Will more staff be sacked? And what are their plans for parking in the West End?

“Everything is being done behind closed doors. We don’t even know for certain who is in the running, such is the secrecy of this leadership fiasco. Westminster Conservatives are treating residents with utter contempt by their continued refusal to run an open and transparent Council leadership election. The Government is telling the major cities outside London to organise directly elected Mayoral elections, so why is Eric Pickles not telling Westminster to do the same?”

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