For some strange reason, the Tories are rather reluctant to reveal the closeness of the vote between Lynne Hillan and Mark Shooter. I have been told authoritatively that the result was 20-17 by an impeccable source. I've also been told that it was 19-18 by another impeccable source. Why the big secret (apart from the fact that Hillan has lost all authority, having had to pull out all the stops, call in every favour and apply impossible pressure)?
I suppose it shows that Barnet is as committed as ever to open government.
11 comments:
If Andrew tries to take over within a month or so (Roger's prediction), Mark has to decide if he can stop that happening.
If he can't, is he really up to a long, hard slog until 2014, or will he lose interest? It will never be as exciting as running a hedge fund.
The trouble is: He could work hard to develop an alternative leadership team, and then find he and others are merely deselected by the "Harper Star Chamber" just before the election.
Andrew Harper isn't one to "try to take over". He is letting his cronies apply the vaseline so he can "just slip in" at the appropriate time.
I have it on good authority that three votes were bought on the grounds Hillan would be standing down and Harper slipping in. These councillors were inclined towards Shooter but worried about his lack of "council experience".
I've been lead to believe that Coleman is onside with the plan
Here was Mark Shooter's pitch:
http://conservativehome.blogs.com/localgovernment/2010/09/final-pitch-for-barnet-council-leadership-challenge.html
Can someone say what the borough was like pre-2002, with a Lab/LibDem group running the show?
They might be again after 2014 at this rate.
Well Roger, Brian can see no other way to keep the Good Times Rolling (into his wallet) - so that is no surprise.
The vote was 19-18
@RogT - well if that is right then it's clear that the MAJORITY of the Group had no confidence in Hillan to carry on last night.
@DCMD - if the Barnet Times said it was 19-18 it must be right, surely!
I think it is now clear, as I have thought for sometime, that the Councillors at the Town Hall can no longer be trusted with the choice of the Council's Leader. The whole supposed advantage of the system we have is that it allows for flexibility and changes when they are needed. Just how much more does Lynne Hillan have to do to persuade the Councillors to vote her out?
As things now stand she has the active support of less than 1/3 rd of the full Council and is held in contempt by 2/3 rds. Yet she has effectively the same powers as a directly elected Mayor ie to hire and fire her Cabinet etc.
It's going to be messy and tough but the public of Barnet now have to roll up their sleeves and seize the power to choose the Leader of Barnet Council for themselves. It will take a year or two to get it through but I think if after next Tuesday's Council Meeting she is in place we all need to divi up the task of getting the 10,000 or so signatures for the petition needed to get a referendum on a directly elected Mayor (like Boris or Ken) for Barnet.
That should really concentrate the minds of the Councillors for Tuesday as not only it Hillan's floundering Leadership up for grabs but their power to choose the Leader and control the budget.
BRIAN FOR LEADER !!!
I think this is the only sensible route for everyone to take. He seems to be gaining support and would make an excellent leader. Mark Shooter could then be his deputy.
I cant see the the broken barnet councillors ever getting over ALLOWANCEGATE. The tories are finished if they stick with them.
Dan Hope, that's actually quite a good idea ... I look forward to seeing you at the enthronement of the first elected Labour Mayor of Barnet ...
BB: I think you need to be a little more specific about which Brian you are talking about, just in case you know gets the wrong idea ...
Brian Coleman's impact on the world: part 87:
http://crerar.standard.co.uk/2010/09/how-do-you-solve-a-problem-like-brian.html#tp
@MrsAngry - there are many possible outcomes of a Mayoral election. The knackered old Barnet Labour Party getting their act together isn't one of them!
Dan: you may be right, but perhaps the Barnet bloggers should unite and come up with a candidate? I exclude myself from the short list, on grounds of modesty, and being of a shy and retiring nature, obviously, but perhaps Mr Tichborne would care to put himself forward?
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