A STRONGLY-worded warning about “leaks” from disaffected members of the Labour Party at Warrington has itself been leaked.
The emailed letter was sent by Cllr Tony Williams, Labour’s chief whip on the borough council, following the leak of a confidential presentation on proposals for the authority to purchase of Birchwood Park for around £210 million.
He said: “I was disappointed to learn of the leak to the media by certain members of this dysfunctional Warrington Labour Party.
“Having lost the debate on the strategic, economic, cultural and financial direction on which the Labour Group has overwhelmingly agreed, these fifth columnists continue to try and subvert the democratic decisions of our Labour Group.
“To what end?
“If they are trying to undermine and damage the reputation of this Labour administration, they are enemies of the Labour Party.
“If they are attempting to destroy the financial effectiveness of this council, they are enemies of the people of Warrington.
“Are they ingenuous, sycophantic, cunning or anarchic adherents to a warped ego who is seeking to control or manipulate this Labour Group?
“You can make up your own mind up as to the motives of these cowardly quislings, but make no mistake, they will be brought to account.”
On learning that his letter had been “leaked” Cllr Williams said: “I did wonder if it would be so I am not surprised. But something has to be done about the people responsible for these leaks.
“We believe we know who is responsible and they will eventually be brought to account.”
9 Comments
I don’t care who it was who leaked because it is patently in the public interest that such a risky move is subject to public scrutiny. The reality is that the dominance of Labour means that decisions behind closed doors can be implemented before the public is given a chance to express dissent.
The supposition that people should be brought to account for acting in the public interest suggests that Warrington Borough Council places the needs of the Labour Party ahead of the needs of the public who pay Council Tax to keep them in power.
It’s comforting to know the leaked decision was taken having regard for “strategic, economic, CULTURAL and financial” reasons, given that another report, presumably also leaked, stated the financial arrangements involved an offshore component/involvement. By dipping its toes and our money, in the deep end of the property market this Labour administration seems to be taking its lead from the challenger banking group we now have a share in.
There should be no need for anything to be ‘leaked’ by anyone or any party as aren’t the whole of the council supposed to be OPEN AND TRANSPARENT in everything they do? just saying like….. 😉
Have to say though I did find it rather amusing that a so called confidential warning about leaks was itself leaked.
It’s a shame more important info is never leaked though… there must be so much info that we never get to see and read which I for one would love to have a nosey at 😉
I think a near quarter million pound punt with everybody’s money would seem fairly important. Everybody in Warrington better spend the next twenty or thirty years with their fingers crossed.
Damn I never saw your previous comment. Were you by chance pointing the finger and blaming Helen Jones again lol.
” the strategic, economic, cultural and financial direction” (the drive for mass expansion and city status) to which “the Labour Group has overwhelmingly agreed,” but to which the vast majority of Warrington people are opposed.
‘Cloaked decisions behind closed doors’ is certainly not democratic – there was quite enough of this kind of ‘mis-management’ in the last LibCon administration – and public outrage delivered a severe backlash!
The open and transparent assurances given when this administration came to power very quickly morphed into smoke and mirrors
Assurances were given and at the time there were probably some councillors who believed or hoped that there would be changes – but I think the smoke and mirrors culture is something that doesn’t change whatever political party gets the majority in the town hall.
Sadly a lot of our councillors seem to think that dealing with complaints about dog dirt, broken street lamps and potholes is about the limit to what they have to do. When it comes to anything a bit more demanding they rely on the council’s officers to ‘advise’ and don’t bother to check the advise they are given. Unbelievably, even though the officers can make very public blunder after very public blunder these officers are still retained.
Getting back to the news article;
Cllr Tony Williams states;
“If they are trying to undermine and damage the reputation of this Labour administration, they are enemies of the Labour Party”.
The Labour Party overwhelmingly voted for Jeremy Corbyn to be their leader, – yet the ‘aspirations’ of WBC are so very far removed from Corbyn’s ideals as to be damaging to his leadership – it is they who are the enemies of the Labour Party!
With such a large ‘Labour’ majority, Warrington could be setting an example of what could be achieved under a Corbyn led Labour Government – a fairer society and good standard of living for all. Instead they are pursuing Thatcherite policies – feeding fat cat developers at the expense of the people.