City council leader to pick new cabinet for unity
SINCE his shock victory on Friday, Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Ross Irving has given few clues away about the likely composition of his cabinet.
But his conspicuous use of the words "inclusive" and "continuity" may give an indication of who he will turn to.
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Ross Irving
He said in his post-election interview: "What I really want to try to achieve is conciliation within the council itself.
"I want to try to build confidence with the electorate, and work with the bulk of the council to build on progress which has already been achieved.
"I hope we can put the factionalism in the past and I would like to ensure that we are as inclusive as possible."
But Mr Irving has categorically ruled out any cabinet role for the BNP.
He can choose up to eight cabinet members and a deputy leader who, unlike the previous executive and members' board, will have overall responsibility for the decisions they make.
In appointing his deputy he faces a tough choice between choosing a close political ally or delivering on his promise to foster greater unity in the chamber.
If he is serious about conciliation, he may reflect on the fact he won by just five votes from City Independent Group leader Brian Ward, who commands the biggest political group.
Appointing Mr Ward would be a leap of faith, but it would enfranchise the Independents and perhaps win over a previously sceptical and very vocal opponent.
Mr Irving is under pressure to deliver something different from the old Executive Members Board (EMB), but he will undoubtedly look for experience over enthusiasm.
We may therefore see a few familiar EMB faces, such as Labour's Adrian Knapper (regeneration) and Debra Gratton (sport and leisure), Lib-Dem leader Kieran Clarke (resour- ces) and his own group's Hazel Lyth (enterprise and culture).
If he then casts a wider net to fill the remaining posts, he might consider John Daniels and Clive Brian from his own group and Lib-Dems Paul Billington and Dr Zulfiquar Ali.
From Labour, he may talk to leader Mike Barnes, Mark Davis, Mohammed Pervez, and Paul Shotton.
But that depends on whether the beleaguered Labour group are even allowed to join a new coalition as their local party has condemned such a move.
One crucial factor he will have to consider is who to leave out, as he cannot make the mistake of anointing the BNP as his official opposition.
5 Comments
by ian norris, tunstall
Monday, June 08 2009, 7:06PM
“Sarah, north of Stoke: and if BNP had stayed and voted in support of Irving, would you now be accusing the Tories of doing deals with BNP?
if they stayed there would have been trouble, but they left and there is still trouble (you have to be main stream politician THEN its ok to walk out of elections - see Manchester Town Hall)”
by BARRY, uk
Monday, June 08 2009, 2:56PM
“I cannot understand what D4Stoke have to celebrate,they now have a conservative as leader of the council,and the elected labour councillors not allowed to be on the cabinet??that being the case what was Barnes trying to do in attempting to be leader of the council??Does one wonder if the Stoke on Trent electorate are ready for a conservative in charge,one of which we cannot change,even if we wanted to.It must have been better by far having an Elected Labour Mayor..just what are the likes of Mick Williams and his Labour click thinking now.Will they now,with the ending of the Elected Mayor system,support the new cabinet,if they do,what hypocrite's they will be”
by E.B., Stoke
Monday, June 08 2009, 2:36PM
“There is only one person Mr Irving is interested in,Himself.
He will install his little empire around him with all the people who helped to get him in.
How desperate these councillors must have been to vote the most despised man in the city to council leader,
Proving what a joke they are.”
by Sarah, north of Stoke
Monday, June 08 2009, 2:14PM
“The BNP ruled themselves out when they stormed out of the council chamber after Alby Walker was eliminated from the leadership contest, when they held the balance of power to determine the next council leader.
This itself was a foregone conclusion when the BNP's camapign for council leadership made it clear they would only have themselves in their cabinet.
But they would not support anyone else, because to do so would mean taking a degree of responsibility for that leader's actions.
The BNP do not want to share power or take joint responsibility - they just want to heckle from the sidelines, and hope for a chance of absolute power. Long may they wait. Ideally, for ever.”
by Democratic voter, Kidsgrove
Monday, June 08 2009, 12:28PM
“Well, well, here we go again. Ross Irving shows his true colours. How arrogant! Who does he think he is to say that he has "categorically ruled out any cabinet role for the BNP"...Hello...the electorate has spoken...they voted for the BNP members...disregard the opinion of the voters at your peril Mr Irving...I can't wait for the next local elections.”