Barnet Council tonight voted Brian Coleman off all committees and removed him from all positions of authority, such as his role on the North West London Waste Authority. As he is currently awaiting trial for assault, this is most appropriate.
One has to ask a question of the local Conservatives. Today MP Nadine Dorries had the Conservative whip removed for announcing that she would be flying to Australia to participate in "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here" this morning. It took the party four weeks to suspend Colemans membership, after his arrest.
I can only ponder what sort of party thinks being arrested for assault is deemed less worthy of instant action than being on telly.
In other news, Richard Cornelius survived a vote of confidence called by the Labour party. The result of this vote was a foregone conclusion. I sometimes wonder about the political tactics of the local Labour Party. They have seemingly secured Richard Cornelius as party leader for the Conservatives and guaranteed that One Barnet has full support of the local Tories, as it approaches approval.
Brian Coleman stated that "One Barnet was a New Labour Policy". This evening a horrible thought crossed my mind, could Mr Coleman for once be spot on the money?
The decision to table a motion of no confidence in Richard Cornelius was a rare moment of tactical genius by Labour. By ensuring that the dithering Cornelius remains as leader, Labour are now more likely to secure an outright victory in 2014.
ReplyDeleteOne Barnet does seem like a NEW Labour policy -- it's just the kind of scheme Tony's cronies would have come up with, especially if they'd opposed it while in opposition (cf privatising air traffic control)!
ReplyDeleteAnd as for Bri: Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, GOODBYE!
I'm not sure I agree with your conclusions about the Conservative Party's actions. I see them thus.
ReplyDeleteColeman was arrested and charged. He was a member of the Barnet Council Conservative group. Their whip and Leader failed to act. Party HQ, behind the scenes, probably contacted them. Nothing was done (he ought at least to have been suspended as a member of the Barnet Group) to Party HQ stepped in and suspended his membership.
Nadine Dorries announced her departure on a self-publicising jaunt during "term time". The parliamentary party chief whip took the appropriate action. No need for HQ to do anything.