Tottenham Labour Party Defend Councilor Gideon Bull

The local party seem to be very clear in their support. 

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Dear X

Re: Suspension of Cllr Gideon Bull - Motion Passed
 

Following the suspension of Cllr Gideon Bull from the Labour Group last week, the Tottenham Constituency Labour Party (CLP) received an emergency motion from a delegate of the General Committee (GC) to be heard, debated and voted upon at the GC meeting this evening (Wednesday).

The motion below was voted upon and passed (agreed). 

The GC is made up of members who are elected as delegates from each ward to represent their branches at constituency level for party business. They are known as GC delegates. It is the GC delegates who voted this evening.

I really appreciate that we have many new members who may be finding the process of the party complex, I hope that I have explained the process of motions adequately. If not, please do not hesitate to ask. 

The motion is below in italics.

Kind Regards

Seema Chandwani
Tottenham Constituency Labour Party (CLP) Secretary

MOTION: Suspension of Councillor Gideon Bull

The Tottenham CLP expresses its great concern at the decision to remove the whip from Councillor Gideon Bull and considers this a totally inappropriate response to his intervention at a recent cabinet meeting where we believe he acted fully in accordance with the Rule Book which states:
 

'Labour recognises that individual members (of the Labour Group), to fulfil their representative duties, may without consultation speak and ask questions in meetings of the council on behalf of their constituents or other community interests.'
 

The Tottenham CLP believes that Councillor Bull’s questions at cabinet about a day centre in his ward were within his role and within the rules, and that these legitimate questions highlighted the failure of Tory policy. Any internal party concerns should have been dealt with privately and with discretion.

 

The Tottenham CLP also highlight that Tottenham is a key seat for the London Mayoral elections, with a potential 28,000+ Labour votes – which combined with the neighbouring CLP in the London Borough of Haringey has another potential 29,000+ Labour votes.
 

The Tottenham CLP is of the view that this decision has:

 

• Brought the Labour Party into disrepute and generated adverse publicity during an important election year
• Drawn further public attention to an unpopular decision and made the Labour Party appear callous and dictatorial
• Misrepresented the party's position on cuts to local council services.
• Exposed the council to a potential legal challenge of ‘predetermination of decision by councillors’ under the Localism Act 2011, S. 25.
• Created internal division by driving a wedge between the Labour Group and the party
• Demotivated members who campaign (which Councillor Bull is leading in his role as Vice Chair Campaigns) to ensure we get a Labour Mayor in City Hall
• Provided ammunition to opposition parties over the implementation of Tory cuts
• By suspending Councillor Bull for three months ensured that this will remain a live public issue throughout the GLA and London Mayoral campaign, with his return date scheduled for 2 weeks prior to the election – allowing for this incident/story to become fresh in the media and minds of voters just prior to polling day.
• Demonstrated poor political judgement at a critical time.

The Tottenham CLP call on the Labour Group to show true leadership and rescind this decision in the interests of party unity and the need for the Labour party to win this election.

The Tottenham CLP gives its full support to Councillor Bull in his appeal to the London Regional Board.

 

The Tottenham CLP agrees to forward this statement of support to Sadiq Khan so he is fully aware of our concerns and the potential damage to his campaign in a key seat.