Saturday 16 May 2015

Update on Brent Conservatives rift

The Kilburn Times LINK has followed up my story on the row between the rival Conservative groups on Brent Council LINK.  I had offered Cllr Suresh Kansagra the opportunity to comment on my piece but he did not respond.

This is what he told the Kilburn Times:
Cllr Suresh Kansagra said they (the Kenton group)  did not attend the (Conservative HQ organised) meeting because they did not recognise it as constitutional and will challenge any decision not made in their favour.

He told the Times: “We called our (Kenton Conservative AGM) meeting on May 11, a proper legal meeting, our constitution and the constitution of the conservative central office. That constitution allows only the leader, the leader of the group and members. They (the Brondesbury Park group)  were not invited because they are not paid members of the group.

“As far as we are concerned we are the conservative group on Brent council unless I am told otherwise from anywhere. Central office does not have the authority to call other AGMs under the constitution of the group.”

He said they were notified to attend the meeting but not consulted.

“We do not recognise them as Conservative Party members,” he said.
 At the Council Annual General Meeting on Wednesday a vote will be taken by the whole Council (56 out of 63 of whom are Labour councillors) on who to recognise as the principal opposition group.

It could be lively.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd back the Continuity Conservatives against the Real Tories any day. Hard bastards them C Cons. Be careful where you drink, boys.

Mike Hine

Anonymous said...

Who decides who is member of the Conservative party, the Conservative Campaign Headquarters, who decides the official opposition Group on Brent Council, Labour Councillors.

Anonymous said...

And who are the Labour councillors going to be told to decide as the official opposition group? My guess would be that they will be told to chose the Conservative Group that does not actually oppose them. I would like to be proved wrong.

Philip Grant.

Anonymous said...

There is a rift among two Conservative Groups on Brent Council, the Conservative Campaign Headquarters is acting as a mediator I believe. If Kenton Group wishes to remain member of the Conservative Party then they must not challenge the authority of the CCHQ. After reading the comments of Cllr Kansagra published by WBTimes I am of the opinion that Kenton Group has made up their mind to commit collective suicide. If they are expelled from the party on Monday which is very likely, no one in Brent will shed tears for them. Kenton Group ever since they have been elected they are technically an extension of Brent Labour.

Anonymous said...

Ah, the Mother of Democracy ...........

Anonymous said...

"We do not recognise them as Conservative Party members " Cllr Kansagra you should have told this to Conservatie Campaign Headquarters, you know more then the CCHQ about the Conservative Party membership rules and regulations.

Anonymous said...

"We were notified not consulted" Cllr Kansagra CCHQ does not need to consult with you. CCHQ has been watching you for almost 1 year, they tried to resolve the matter amicably but your group has chosen to ignore it. Do a favour to Brent Conservatives either accept the authority of the CCHQ otherwise join Labour on Monday afternoon once you are expelled from the party. I wonder how many officers/members of Brent North Conservatives will resign in protest once your group members are expelled from the party on disciplinary grounds.

Alison Hopkins said...

I smell an ex Tory councollor who faced a court case and got disqualified.

Anonymous said...

The same idiot was also expelled from the party.

DON'T dis US said...

madder than lunity

Anonymous said...

Alison I hope you will agree with me that if someone has served his/her term as a Councillor he/she does not come under the jurisdiction of SBE after the expiry of his/her term as a Councillor. Regards. Atiq

Anonymous said...

Just to set the record straight in 2008 when I was a Cllr a member of the Conservative Group on Brent Council reported me to SBE when I found out by this I contacted the Group leader but he was not helpful I therefore had no choice but to leave the group. Before leaving the Group I did notified the Conservative Campaign Headquarters. The same Cllr who referred me to SBE was also Conservative Group whip on Brent Council and at the same time also Chairnan of the local Conservative Assocuation. A motion was passed against me by the local Assicuation at the request of Conservative Group on Brent Council and my membership was terminated for 3 years. Regards. Atiq

Anonymous said...

Was this before or after you advocated the stoning of women?

Anonymous said...

Only 2 more years to go and you can start assisting 'aspirational' council house tenants again. Conservatives: the party of enterprise!