I missed the start of today's meeting of the Regional Local Government Executive and therefore the congratulations to our member had been elected to Barking and Dagenham Council (http://www.lbbd.gov.uk/9-democracy/elections/results/election-results.cfm?id=28D7E78D-5056-A477-3495AB0AC4471FB5), knocking out a sitting BNP Councillor.
I was still there though for any other business and hence the news that she has resigned as a Councillor (http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/2-news-events/latest-news/2010/goresbrook-ward.html).
There will now have to be an election in Goresbrook ward, previously represented by BNP GLA member, Richard Barnbrook.
I shall not comment except to observe that it is unfortunate that a further election should have to take place so very soon after the BNP were wiped off the Council. The reasons why working class voters rejected the far right on 6 May still apply and we must work to ensure that they lead to the same consequence.
Were I - or another socialist critic of the leadership - to have stood down in such circumstances I - or they - would expect to be vilified within our Union.
I prefer not to do vilification. I will stick with disappointment.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Section two of the Guidelines to candidates and agents under the heading disqualification issued by the electoral commission states including first and relevant bullet point.
“2.6 Certain people are disqualified from being elected to a local authority. A person cannot be a candidate if at the time of their nomination or their election:
• they are employed by the local authority or hold a paid office under the authority
(including joint boards or committees).”
So what happened this is abc of politics that if you work for a council you cant stand for election as a councilor in the same council. Jon to be fair you can’t just blame the candidate although they have a lot to answer for on this. Presumably reading of the of this guideline if the LA returning officer has let you be nominated then the person has to have there resignation letter ready to hand to the returning officer before the result is official. So why did that not happen? I hope it was not to stay on any committees.
It’s a big ask especially as it will not change who controls the council’s to ask people to come out and vote again as anybody experienced in politics knows this will be very difficult. The BNP need to be defeated once again and then we need answers.
It's also happened with a teacher who was elected to Redbridge Council. I agree with Andrew, it seems to be a basic failure of candidate selection. Some blame has to go to the candidate, but more to the people making the selections.
Post a Comment