Garner takes time to think over future
FORMER Labour group leader, Councillor Joy Garner, is considering her political future following the resignations of two close colleagues.
Mrs Garner resigned as the group's whip at a meeting on Monday night, saying she was unhappy with the way her group was being led and wanted to take time out to recover from recent health problems.
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But the Burslem North ward member has yet to decide whether to quit the group and join councillors Joan Bell and Dave Conway on the non-aligned bench.
Mr Conway stormed out of Monday night's meeting and immediately announced his resignation.
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Mrs Bell split from the group and the party last Tuesday.
Mrs Garner, aged 47, of Tunstall, has served on the city council for the past seven years and is the current portfolio holder for the environment.
She said: "I can confirm that I have resigned as the group whip at Monday night's group meeting.
"I am one of a number of councillors with concerns over the way that the Labour group is now being led.
"I will be considering the best way forward, but my immediate priority is to get over the recent ill-health I have suffered so that I can represent my ward and my city."
Mr Conway said he had yet to decide whether he would also be resigning from the Labour Party.
He said: "I have been a Labour man all my life and I haven't really made up my mind about what happens now.
"I just wanted to work for the people of this city. I'm not interested in politics any more."
Monday's meeting is also understood to have included a vote on whether the Labour group should form a new power-sharing coalition with another party.
Labour sources told The Sentinel that city Labour Party members at the meeting voted unanimously against entering into a coalition, but the majority of the Labour councillors were in favour of approaching other groups, including the City Independent Group.
Comments
by TIM, ex labour
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 7:33PM
“GO and hopefully Flash Gordon will soon be following her.”
by Bert, Shelton
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 6:42PM
“Andy, where did I say I was a Labour supporter or any other for that matter? I remember the three day working week clearly too but history has shown that the Tories, Liberals, Whigs do not see themselves as voices for the masses. Granted the present bunch of MPs from all camps have not covered themselves in glory but as Gary eloquently stated, the Labour party's tenets were honourable. Would it were that we could actually achieve those aspirations and see those in power deliver that so often promised.”
by Andy, Sandbach
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 2:04PM
“Emotional Gary, emotional. But the fact is, the cabinet, the backbenchers and the public have no confidence in Brown.”
by Gary Elsby, Baddeley Green
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 1:24PM
“Why should we in Labour deny our past that revolutionised our lives? Free Health. free Education for all and including University access regardless of class or money. equal opportunites for men and women, especially women.The redistribution of wealth to the poorest of Society, a society that Thatcher refused to recognise. Labour made the big decisions in a Century regarded by History as being a Conservative one. Let history now record the truth.”
by Andy, Sandbach
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 12:39PM
“Bert, Shelton - why is it that Labour Party supporters always rely on the "I remember the Thatcher days" line??
Would the labour party endorse the "I remember the winter of discontent" line, when of course they were in power?
Labour party supporters ought to concentrate on their future (should they have one) and stop relying on the past.”
by Gary Elsby, Baddeley Green
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 12:37PM
“If memory serves me right, two years ago 24 Labour Councillors entered a coalition with the Conservatives. Voters across the City have given their verdict to Labour Councillors and Tories can't wait to get their hands on Irving and Ibbs. Labour is down to 14. The old adage is still correct that if you pin a red rosette on anyone that person will get voted in. Unless of course, you are in a coalition with Tories and then you're considered a fake.Labour candidates and Councillors are not being rewarded at the ballot box for ruling the City with their traditional enemies.It is fact quite the opposite. 'We shall overcome' is the wrong song.”
by Nicky, pitsnpots.co.uk
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 11:28AM
“A coalition where they agree to a common whip and blindly follow certain policies no matter how stupid they are is most definitely not what they need, that's what they've had and it has not done them or the city any good over the past years.
What would do good would be an independent led council with a cabinet of all groups, plenty of debate and reaching well thought out agreements to encompass as much of the diversity of views from the different groups and across the city as possible.”
by David, Stoke
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 9:43AM
“So, Hazel Blears has resigned as well eh? Fast becoming a rout this is. Will Brown still have a cabinet to reshuffle come Friday?”
by Bert, Shelton
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 8:36AM
“To all banging on about Labour and how rubbish they are!! I think they all wizz in the same pot. I remember the Thatcher years and the Tory I'm all right Jack policies, community charge, pit closures etc. The Tories never have and never will represent those at the sharp end!”
by Andy, Sandbach
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 8:26AM
“It does make you wonder whether some of these local Labour Party resignations are occurring to save a little face for when the national party is trounced at the next general election?”