Tories enable another Labour administration despite Labour's local election losses

 

Tonight's 'arrangement' 

Cllr Mistry, Deputy Mayor (Conservative) on the left, Cllr Agha, Mayor (Labour) on the right

 

A a minority Labour administration led once again by Muhammed Butt, was installed this evening, with the help of an 'arrangement' with the Conservative Party. The arrangement saw the Conservatives installed as the official Opposition (with appropriate allowances), despite the Lib Dems having the same number of seats; being given both Scrutiny chair positions (with appropriate allowances) and the position of Deputy Mayor.

Brent Green Party issued the following statement:

   

On May 7^th  residents gave a resounding response to the question of the type of leadership they want in Brent. Labour lost twenty four seats and their control of the Council, securing under thirty percent of the popular vote. This is not a mandate to continue the status quo. Brent voted overwhelmingly for change.

 

Muhammed Butt has been leader of Brent Council for fourteen years. In any other circumstance, a political leader who led one’s party to such defeat after such long tenure would resign and pass the mantle on to a new leader. 

 

This evening, enabled by a deal with the Conservative Party, instead of change Brent residents have been given more of the same – a minority-led Labour administration under Muhammed Butt – rather than the collaborative model of governance they voted for.

 

This is not the transformation in the way decisions are made in Brent that residents voted for. This does not signify the cultural shift for cross-party collaboration, scrutiny, and accountability that Brent Green Party had hoped for, and indeed that we believe Brent needs.

 

We have been open to a formal arrangement with Labour with policy commitments and governance changes, but their national party would rather they strike a deal with the Conservative Party than the Green Party, ignoring the progressive values of its supporters.

 

What further sign could there be of the moral decay within the Labour Party?

 

Multi-party politics in Brent is here to stay. Voters are moving away from the two-party system and all four parties in Brent are going to have to collaborate, seek consensus and work together for better outcomes for residents.

 

More people voted for the Green Party in Brent than ever before, and our role here on Brent Council is vital. Opposition councillors are essential in keeping this new administration in check, and standing up for democratic decision-making and justice for Brent residents. We are not here to play political games, but to work hard to protect local services and public spaces, stand up for local communities against extractive industries, and protect our natural environment.

 

We are disappointed in today’s outcome for Brent’s residents, and what this means for democracy – but we remain ready to collaborate with anyone who shares our principles of environmental and social justice and a commitment to the best outcome for residents, rather than for a particular political party.