Behind Closed Doors Democracy

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 2nd Mar 2006

At Wednesday night's Tower Hamlets Council meeting, Lib Dem Councillors accused the Labour Group of perverting the course of democracy in the borough by cutting public meetings, withholding access to information and limiting opportunities for debate.

A detailed proposal to make significant changes to the Council's constitution was proposed by the ruling Labour Party at 11.10pm - forty minutes after the meeting had already been extended to complete its business - but without allowing for any debate.

The constitutional changes railroaded through included a proposal that in future papers on items deemed to be confidential Council business could be made available only to the 10 members of the Cabinet and the Labour-dominated Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr John Griffiths said, "If this restricted circulation is merely an attempt to prevent the leaking of papers to the press, the Labour Group is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Papers will still leak out because so many people in the Town Hall are disgusted at what this administration is doing, they are only too happy to tip off the press."

"Since I became a councillor four years ago, the ruling Labour Party has systematically curbed opportunities for debate and stifled both Councillors' and the public's vital role in scrutinising their decisions."

Councillor Janet Ludlow remarked "The Full Council now meets barely 5 times per year! There are fewer and fewer opportunities for the public to put their questions, present petitions or make deputations. Meanwhile, the agenda gets overloaded, we sit until nearly midnight and there is insufficient time to debate some very important issues - these are just rubber stamped by the Labour Group."

Wednesday's meeting saw a number of reports and motions rushed through. As well as the changes to the constitution, Labour Councillors also curtailed debate on issues including Crossrail, the Council's constitution and policing in the borough. Labour Councillors used the procedure to "move to next business" and the demand "that the question be now put" to limit discussion and cross-examination.

Meanwhile, attendees in the packed public gallery shouted and jeered at what they perceived to be Labour's arrogance and flagrant abuse of their position.

Cllr Janet Ludlow, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said "Tonight Labour have shown how arrogant they have become and what contempt they have for the views and concerns of local people. Luckily we have an election on 4th May and we'll be saying goodbye to them."

Cllr. Griffiths promised, "If we are elected in May, the Lib Dems pledge to overturn these changes to the constitution and restore regular Council meetings as a forum of open and honest debate."