Another Labour Councillor defects

Gayle · 15-05-2009, 08:51

It's a shame that Paul Gott has decided to resign from the Labour Party and will now be an Independent on the Council. Not that I blame him, I resigned from the Labour Party myself over 18 months ago.

What's unfortunate though is that he is allowed to do this and remain a Councillor. I believe that if you have been voted on to the Council on a Labour ticket (or even a Conservative one for that matter) and you switch sides, you should have a bye election. I don't think it's fair to the electorate to be voted in based on a manifesto that he will no longer be obliged to follow.

Paul is a good Councillor and would possibly win a bye election anyway. He's not the first either, other Councillors have done it too but I think they're short changing the people who voted for them.

jaysay · 15-05-2009, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

It's a shame that Paul Gott has decided to resign from the Labour Party and will now be an Independent on the Council. Not that I blame him, I resigned from the Labour Party myself over 18 months ago.

What's unfortunate though is that he is allowed to do this and remain a Councillor. I believe that if you have been voted on to the Council on a Labour ticket (or even a Conservative one for that matter) and you switch sides, you should have a bye election. I don't think it's fair to the electorate to be voted in based on a manifesto that he will no longer be obliged to follow.

Paul is a good Councillor and would possibly win a bye election anyway. He's not the first either, other Councillors have done it too but I think they're short changing the people who voted for them.

Totally agree Gayle, irrespective of party. It also looks like things aren't to well with Labour as an ex Labour councillor is standing as independent against Jean Battle at the county elections too

Neil · 15-05-2009, 11:52

On a similar note can you be a Hyndburn Councillor and a Lancashire Councillor at the same time?

Gayle · 15-05-2009, 12:15

Yes, Jean Battle was on both for a while but stepped down from HBC. I think Miles Parkinson is on both at the moment.

accyman · 15-05-2009, 12:42

at least he was at some point voted in unlike gordon brown

it is wrong though, they should either have to have a election or there shoudl be a rule saying you cant switch sides until the next election

andrewb · 15-05-2009, 12:55

Nice chap. I was sat at his table some weeks ago at the awards evening. I wonder if he left because of disagreements nationally or locally?

katex · 15-05-2009, 15:12

Agree that Paul Gott got elected due to his connnection with the Labour Party, there again lots of us say we do usually vote for the person in local elections. Would have been interesting to see if he would have been returned if a bye-election were forced.

This is the Telegraph link :-

Huncoat councillor resigns from Labour over expenses anger (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Love Cllr. Britcliffe's remark at the bottom .. he doesn't miss a trick does he ?
Makes me laugh though ... gotta' give him that.

How long has Paul Gott been a councillor ? Funny, be does it now when all public opinion is disturbed by the MP's expenses ... will give him maximum support no doubt for losing confidence in National Politics

accyman · 15-05-2009, 15:16

pretty good tactics to abandon a sinking ship to keep your seat in the next election

call me synical but i bet most labour councilors and mps are sweating about keeping tehir positions after the mess tony blair and his crew have made of things and disassociating themselves from labour may be a good way to keep your seat

MargaretR · 15-05-2009, 15:35

I expect that some tory MPs will not stand again at the next election because they need the expenses perks to 'keep them in the manner to which they are accustomed'.
They will look for 'city jobs' - but they are harder to get now

jaysay · 15-05-2009, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I expect that some tory MPs will not stand again at the next election because they need the expenses perks to 'keep them in the manner to which they are accustomed'.
They will look for 'city jobs' - but they are harder to get now

Think your statement that Tories *keeping them in a manor they are accustomed" can equally apply to labour MPs too Margaret, by adding in two words "have become"

claytonender · 15-05-2009, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewb

Nice chap. I was sat at his table some weeks ago at the awards evening. I wonder if he left because of disagreements nationally or locally?

Andrew I can conform that Paul has resigned because he does not support the Labour Party nationally.

katex · 15-05-2009, 17:29

HBC have been pretty sharp at amending their web-site I see ...still haven't changed Graham's address yet though ...

Bagpuss · 15-05-2009, 19:50

All local councillors should be independant then they might actually work together for Hyndburn instead of wasting time trying to score points.

jaysay · 19-05-2009, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagpuss

All local councillors should be independent then they might actually work together for Hyndburn instead of wasting time trying to score points.

Can't agree more Bagpuss, but whilst you have party politics, things are never going to change. the problem is that the Hoy Poloy are not interested, we have plenty of people on here who have big opinions about everything, but when push comes to shove, wild horses wouldn't get them to stand and really make that difference

Gayle · 19-05-2009, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagpuss

All local councillors should be independant then they might actually work together for Hyndburn instead of wasting time trying to score points.

Well if Councillors keep on deserting the parties we could have a council of independents sometime soon.