WARRINGTON Borough Council leader Terry O’Neill has survived a “night of the long knives” challenge and been re-elected by the Labour party for the next four years.
The Burtonwood based leader faced a challenge on his leadership from Penketh and Cuerdley Cllr David Keane, portfolio holder for environment and public protection.
But following a secret ballot of the 42 party members Cllr O’Neill was re-elected at Labour’s AGM at Warrington Town Hall, with Orford Cllr Mike Hannon continuing as deputy.
No details have been released on the number of votes cast.
A party insider said: “It was seen as a serious challenge and some within the party expected a night of the long knives.
“But after the vote everyone shook hands and now we move forward.”
The meeting saw Changes to the executive board with Cllr Keane and Cllr Linda Dirir, Penketh and Cuerdley, who was portfolio holder for highways, transportation and climate change, no longer on the board.
After being re-elected Cllr O’Neill said: “Every four years the Labour Party’s democratic rules allow for any councillor to put themselves forward as the next Leader of their Labour Group and I am very grateful and honoured to have been re-elected by my peers, as the Leader of Warrington Labour Group.
“I want to put on record my gratitude to my previous Executive Board who have worked hard to mitigate the impact of our budgets being slashed by the Tory & LibDem coalition so that we could continue to provide vital services for our town’s most vulnerable and growing elderly population and whilst also continuing to grow our local economy.
“But now, as has been widely reported, we expect the Conservative Government to slash the funding they give to councils in the North of England and so we need to find newer and more innovative ways to do things differently. And to that end I have decided to refresh the Executive Board to take on this challenge and take Warrington forward.”
The Executive Board now consists of:
Leader: Cllr O’Neill,
Deputy leader: Mike Hannon,
Corporate finance: Russ Bowden,
Personnel, communications: Hitesh Patel
Children and young people’s services Jean Carter,
Adult social care : Pat Wright,
Health and wellbeing:Maureen McLaughlin
Leisure, community and culture: Kate Hannon
Highways, transportation and public realm: Hans Mundry
Environment, climate change and public protection: Cllr Judith Guthrie.
1 Comment
Well isn’t that just typical. The only two portfolio holders to lose their positions just happen to be the Councillor (Dave Keane) who challenged Terry O’Neil and his close friend Councillor Linda Dirir. I would have thought more of Terry O’Neil if he had of left the councillors in their positions as opposed to changing those two only, showing the other councillors what happens to you, if you dare to challenge him. Isn’t that exactly what happened to Councillor Kevin Bennett the minute he challenged O’Neil or his side kick Hannon??? The minute he stuck his head above the parapet there was a 5 year vendetta to get him out of the Labour party, eventually ending when Councillor Bennett left to join TUSC – Trade Union and Socialist Coalition.
If O’Neil and Hannon stay true to form, Dave Keane had better watch his back. These two especially don’t like being challenged, even if they are wrong. It’s such a shame Warrington weren’t given the chance to sample a decent leader. Dave Keane only lost by two votes, so all is not as united as they would have you believe.