We have it folks a copy of the E-Mail sent to all Labour Councillors by the Paul Kelly Chief Whip

Photo of the Chief Whip
Paul Kelly



Please see content of letter below , the wording of which is agreed by a National Labour Party official. This will be followed up by a hardcopy sent direct to your home.
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
LABOUR GROUP
To all Labour Group members Tuesday January 9th.

Dear colleagueMay I wish you a happy and healthy 2007..At the Labour Group meeting Officers Wednesday January 3’, it was resolved that I, as Chief Whip, should write to every member of the group in order to make it absolutely clear his/her obligation to attend and supportthe Labour administration stance on Unitary Local Government at the Extraordinary County Councilmeeting on January 15th•

The position of dual role councillors in particular has been a cause for debate. Can a district councillor votefor two unitary councils for Northumberland in the district chamber and appear to contradict him/herself byvoting for one in the county council chamber?

In order to clarify the situation on loyalty to different stances in labour groups, we sought advice fromRegional and National Labour Party officers. Ann Reeder and Fiona Twycross addressed a meeting ofCounty Council and District Council group officers in the Chairman’s dining room on December 4th. Theywere categorical in their ruling that Labour group members must support the stance adopted by their groupin both councils or be in breach of the Labour Group rules and subject to the sanctions of the Group Whip.

The recent death of Alan Cutter has consequences for our ability to carry the day in a vote in the council chamber. Opposition Leaders have intimated that they will be seizing this opportunity to exploit ourweakened position by putting forward a notice of motion in direct opposition to that of the Labour Group & probably operating a three line whip on their members in the hope of carrying a majority on the 15thJanuary.

The consequences would be dire.
I cannot stress enough the importance of attendance at this meeting. Exemption on conscience grounds will not be accepted.
I have to make it clear that this is a very serious matter and if I feel that sanctions are justified, the groupwhip may be withdrawn. Members who are in breach would need to be called for interview by the RegionalBoard to explain their position, particularly if they intend to stand for re election to the district as he/shecannot be eligible if subject to withdrawal of the whip.

Yours fraternallyPaul KellyChief Whip
Chairman’s SecretaryChief Executive’s DirectorateNorthumberland County Council