REBEL Labour councillor Kevin Bennett has given an assurance to his constituents that he is still working in their interests despite “differences” with the Labour leadership on Warrington Borough Council.
He says remains a loyal Labour Party activist and is still actively representing residents of the Fairfield and Howley ward.
He said: “I would like to make clear that, despite the current problems I continue to face, I remain a loyal 
Labour Party activist and my disappointment rests firmly with the leadership of the Labour Group here in Warrington, not my Party as a whole.”
Last week, police were called to a meeting of Warrington Borough Council after Cllr Bennett (pictured) – who has been suspended from the Labour Group – refused to leave the council chamber after members had voted to exclude him.
He eventually left peacefully after speaking to police officers.
Now he is anxious to assure his constituents that he is still working for them.
He said his dispute stemmed from an incident when he was not allowed to put a question about the “Living Wage” at a meeting of the council.
“The ‘Living Wage’ is an initiative that Ed Milliband and the Labour Party are fully supporting.
“My ward of Fairfield and Howley is one of the most deprived wards in the North West and many of my residents are working and receiving below the ‘Living Wage’. Some of these people still struggle to make ends meet, and face a daily choice between eating or heating.
“Many of them may well have to use the foodbank here in Warrington to feed themselves and their families. The intention behind my question was to raise this subject in order to make everyone aware of the Government’s despicable record on attacking the most vulnerable in our society.
“Unfortunately, the Labour Group leadership here in Warrington have, for their own reasons, chosen to go to extraordinary lengths to block this issue from being raised, with what seems to be the support of a senior council official, despite being fully aware this was a direct breach of our legal constitution.
“I hope that people who know me, and who elected me, will understand that my first priority continues to be representing them as honestly as I can, to the best of my ability.”
Labour rebel: I'm still working for you
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
12 Comments
Loyal??? All the evidence seems to suggest otherwise!
A politician that puts his constituents first, a refreshing change.
Complete joker .
What exactly gives a man who lives in Appleton the right to refer to Fairfield and Howley as “my ward”?
It appears that Cllr Bennett has no interest in ‘his’ ward and is simply using his elected position to impress senior figures within the Unite Union. His recent attempts to self style himself as Warrington’s answer to Bob Crow during the WBT strike were nothing short of embarrassing.
Yes but by that logic any councillor who doesn’t live in the ward they represent can’t claim it’s “their” ward. That includes the other two Fairfield and Howley councillors, neither of who live anywhere near the place either…. Bennett can say its “his”ward: the fact is, like it or not, that the public elected him when he put his name forward and they knew then that he lived in Appleton….
To be in a political party you have to tow the party line. Man up and become an independent instead of whinging on!
I go to the computer drop in at Fairfield community hub and I can honestly say I’ve never clapped eyes on Kevin Bennett in fact I didn’t know there was three councillors as I’ve only seen the other two .
Councillor Bennett may have been disloyal to his party, or just the local Labour Junta, but Warrington Labour have been betrayed the concepts of democratic process and free speech.
Rather than printing the names of individual candidates on next year’s election leaflets there should just a photo of Terry O’Neill and the promise – Your Candidate Will Obey And Not Put Your Interests Before Mine. Freedom Of Thought is Thought Crime And Will Not Be Tolerated
Yes – so committed that he voted against the plans for a new community centre in his own ward! I am sure his constituents are thanking him for that support
You can be loyal to the party without kowtowing to the local Junta or being a disciple of Helen Jones.
meant to put “…Labour have betrayed the concepts of democratic process…..” an excess “been” sneaked in – sorry
Ye voted against new community centre but no doubt when it opens he’ll be on the front for his photo .