In 2012 I got into trouble with then councillor Jim Moher in quoting a report about his part in the ousting of Ann John, then leader of Brent Council, and her replacement by her deputy, Muhammed Butt. LINK Moher said that he and his wife Ruth Moher, who became deputy leader, were engaged openly in a democratic process. Butt won the leadership by a narrow margin.
I am sure that Cllr Butt then will welcome the democratic process that will happen at the 2 stage virtual AGM. The first stage is on September 2nd and the second on September 5th The AGM takes place after the publication of a report aimed at improving democracy in the Labour Group and more widely. LINK
Councillor Abdirazak Abdi (Kilburn) in an apparent attempt to reinforce the principle that democratic challenge is legitimate, is standing for many of the positions, including the leadership, according to the nomination list circulated recently.
Cllr Liz Dixon (Dollis Hill) is bidding to continue as Chair while Cllr Ihtesham Afzal (Preston) challenges incumbent Vice Chair Cllr Abdi Aden (Stonebridge). Cllr Neil Nerva (Queens Park) is not standing again as Treasurer and the post will be contested by Abdirazak Abdi, Cllr Shafique Choudhary (Barnhill) and Cllr Keiron Gill (Brondesbury Park) a critic of the democracy report. Cllr Promise Knight (Stonebridge) is not continuing as Secretary and Councillor Sonia Shah (Wembley Central) has thrown her hat into the ring.
Cllr Sandra Kabir (Queensbury)wishes to remain Chief Whip but is challenged by Cllr Abdi.
Cllr Thomas Stephens (Sudbury) author of the democracy report, Cllr Promise Knight, Cllr Robert Johnson (Northwick Park), and Nerva (a former leadership challenger to Butt) have all submitted an interest in joining the Cabinet.
One of the more interesting contests will be for the chairs of the two Scrutiny Committees. The group has recently agreed that one of the committees should be chaired by a woman. Currently they are both chaired by men, Matt Kelcher and Cllr Ketan Sheth (Tokyngton). They are standing again and Cllr Roxanne Mashari (Welsh Harp and a former leadership challenger LINK), Cllr Fleur Donnelly-Jackson (Willesden Green) and Cllr Robert Johnson are all candidates. It will be interesting, as I tweeted yesterday, to see if the positions are filled by people with the essential independence and integrity when the council is dominated by a single party and much power is concentrated in the Cabinet.
Sources suggest that Cllr James Denselow (Queens Park) is currently out of favour. He voted against the 1 Morland Gardens planning application recently, although it appears that falling out of favour pre-dated this. Clearly his position as Chair of Planning Committee is a key one and given Cllr Butt's great interest in planning, a loyalist is likely to be appointed. Kelcher and Johnson have been suggested as possibilities.
One issue that rankles with some is an unanswered question about how many councillors are members of Councillor Butt's extended family. On the one hand that should not matter as anyone is entitled to stand and if someone is a brother, brother-in-law or uncle, the relationship does not denote shared views. On the other hand, is this a matter of public interest when several of them (it has been suggested there are five altogether) could be on the same committee as members or substitutes?
Some Labour Group members are concerned that an election for Deputy Mayor will not take place at the AGM.
I am sure that Cllr Butt then will welcome the democratic process that will happen at the 2 stage virtual AGM. The first stage is on September 2nd and the second on September 5th The AGM takes place after the publication of a report aimed at improving democracy in the Labour Group and more widely. LINK
Councillor Abdirazak Abdi (Kilburn) in an apparent attempt to reinforce the principle that democratic challenge is legitimate, is standing for many of the positions, including the leadership, according to the nomination list circulated recently.
Cllr Liz Dixon (Dollis Hill) is bidding to continue as Chair while Cllr Ihtesham Afzal (Preston) challenges incumbent Vice Chair Cllr Abdi Aden (Stonebridge). Cllr Neil Nerva (Queens Park) is not standing again as Treasurer and the post will be contested by Abdirazak Abdi, Cllr Shafique Choudhary (Barnhill) and Cllr Keiron Gill (Brondesbury Park) a critic of the democracy report. Cllr Promise Knight (Stonebridge) is not continuing as Secretary and Councillor Sonia Shah (Wembley Central) has thrown her hat into the ring.
Cllr Sandra Kabir (Queensbury)wishes to remain Chief Whip but is challenged by Cllr Abdi.
Cllr Thomas Stephens (Sudbury) author of the democracy report, Cllr Promise Knight, Cllr Robert Johnson (Northwick Park), and Nerva (a former leadership challenger to Butt) have all submitted an interest in joining the Cabinet.
One of the more interesting contests will be for the chairs of the two Scrutiny Committees. The group has recently agreed that one of the committees should be chaired by a woman. Currently they are both chaired by men, Matt Kelcher and Cllr Ketan Sheth (Tokyngton). They are standing again and Cllr Roxanne Mashari (Welsh Harp and a former leadership challenger LINK), Cllr Fleur Donnelly-Jackson (Willesden Green) and Cllr Robert Johnson are all candidates. It will be interesting, as I tweeted yesterday, to see if the positions are filled by people with the essential independence and integrity when the council is dominated by a single party and much power is concentrated in the Cabinet.
Sources suggest that Cllr James Denselow (Queens Park) is currently out of favour. He voted against the 1 Morland Gardens planning application recently, although it appears that falling out of favour pre-dated this. Clearly his position as Chair of Planning Committee is a key one and given Cllr Butt's great interest in planning, a loyalist is likely to be appointed. Kelcher and Johnson have been suggested as possibilities.
One issue that rankles with some is an unanswered question about how many councillors are members of Councillor Butt's extended family. On the one hand that should not matter as anyone is entitled to stand and if someone is a brother, brother-in-law or uncle, the relationship does not denote shared views. On the other hand, is this a matter of public interest when several of them (it has been suggested there are five altogether) could be on the same committee as members or substitutes?
Some Labour Group members are concerned that an election for Deputy Mayor will not take place at the AGM.
14 comments:
The May 2012 blog by Ruth and Jim Moher ended with the statement about the election of Cllr Butt as Leader that 'a majority of Labour councillors thought it was time for a change.'
After more than 8 years, perhaps its time for another change.
nepotism at the heart of non democracy
I wouldn't mind knowing who is being suggested as being related. For all we know this is someone with a personal gripe with being out of favour.
I understand that a direct question was asked within the group and Muhammed Butt refused to answer. So I can't answer with names.
Abdi got thrown off planning ctee by Butt for voting against applications that went against planning policies.
He'll probably get suspended from the Labour group for daring to stand against Butt for the leadership.
Also, clearly the Kilburn councillor going for everything doesn't feel excluded. I expect internal groups and alliances will influence who gets what.
But it comes from several sources.
Butthead of the Brent cllrs needs to go. Brent needs change full stop
Cllr Butt has only TWO members of his family serving as Brent Councillors, namely Cllr Saqib Butt, Sudbury Ward (younger brother), Cllr Mansoor Akram, Barnhill Ward (brother-in-law).
Cllrs Mahmood and Dar are also relatives. Maybe more.
Yes, not to mention Cllr Arshad Mahmood, Dollis Hill ward, former Mayor of Brent 2018-2019, and Cllr Tariq Dar, Mapesbury ward, fated Deputy Mayor of Brent 2021
Cllr Mahmood and Cllr Dar are 100% NOT related to Cllr Butt
Cllr Arshad Mahmood and Cllr Tariq Dar are NOT related to Cllr Butt. Please stop spreading lies. Cllr Arshad Mahmood and Cllr Dar are relatives.
Thanks everyone for your comments. As they both confirm and deny the issue of relationships, it would be best if Cllr Butt himself made a statement.
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