Labour clings on to power in Glasgow by one-vote margin
Labour is still in control - just - at Glasgow City Chambers. Picture: Donald MacLeod
THE internal strife that has rocked Glasgow City Council’s Labour group escalated yesterday, when the party was hit by more resignations.
The day after the ruling Labour group only just avoided the humiliation of having its budget rejected, two more rebel councillors indicated they would be quitting the party.
A total of six Labour councillors have now said they intend to quit in the aftermath of a budget vote that was almost hijacked by the mini-rebellion.
Yesterday, it emerged that Andy Muir and Ruth Black want to leave the party. Labour has yet to receive official notification of their departures, but once they go, it will bring the total number of resignations over the past few days to six.
Labour was at pains to point out that all six had already been de-selected by the party, ahead of May’s council elections.
All six voted against the budget, a move that resulted in them being suspended instantly for disobeying the Labour whip. Their stance resulted in the budget only just squeezing through by 40 votes to 38 – an incredibly tight vote given the past domination of Labour in Scotland’s largest local authority.
The string of resignations means Labour’s grip on power is looking shaky and the party can now count on only 40 votes against the 39 councillors who are now either independent or represent other parties.
Labour’s opponents said recent events meant the party was unfit to govern Glasgow.
The SNP’s local government minister Derek MacKay said: “The collapse of the Labour Party in Glasgow over the council budget has shown they are unfit to serve the people of Glasgow and unfit for purpose.
“The local elections are three months away and it is unfair to the people of this great city to have a council led by a party completely devoid of any credibility.
“There is a real need for change and voters across Glasgow will have that opportunity to clear out Labour’s dead wood and bring in a fresh, open and transparent SNP administration that will work hard for the city at the council elections in May.”
One of those to resign was Anne Marie Millar, who claimed she had felt “intimidated and bullied” because the future of her own son’s apprenticeship had been raised by one of her Labour colleagues when she indicated that she would vote against the budget.
Moving to another of the departing councillors, Labour said Ms Black had not paid her subscription to the party and her membership had lapsed. She had already been suspended by the party following allegations of financial irregularities at a lesbian and gay centre that she ran with her partner.
Ms Black, a good friend of Labour’s disgraced former council leader Steven Purcell, was cleared of wrongdoing by the Standards Commission and the police.
The others to tender their resignations were Stephen Dornan and Tommy Morrison, who both resigned before Thursday’s vote, while William O’Rourke resigned earlier this week after being disciplined and barred for 18 months.
Labour launched a disciplinary inquiry after reports Mr O’Rourke had asked an alleged rape victim if she “wanted it to happen”, during a disciplinary meeting regarding the dismissal of a care worker accused of her rape.
Last night, a Labour source said: “This is the last stand of the Stephen Purcell mob. These are people who had already been disciplined, because they were not good enough to meet the required standards.”
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “It is never easy if a party renews itself like this, but Labour won the vote [on Thursday] by putting forward a budget that creates jobs in Glasgow.”
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Comments
There are 226 comments to this article
Page 1 of 16
duelaynomore
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 01:37 AMI NEVER NOTICED BEFORE BUT NOW REALISE THAT GLASGOW HAS INDEED GOT RED SQUARE !!
Derry City, Ireland.
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:52 PMI think the days of the Scottish Labour party, running Scotland for their English masters, is drawing to a close. ALBA ABU !
Cynicus
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 12:23 PMhttp://www.htmlconvert.net/ Paragraphing? New Line
jaydee
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 12:37 AMNot really into West of Scotland local politics.. But from reading the article and the postings could I assume that the days of putting a red jacket on a monkey and it would be voted into power are over...
flyinngscott
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:59 PMIn oz, what was it the tin man was after again ? To moan about trolling, then.... All threads end up in a bun fight.
HorridHenrietta
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:53 PM218 footdee - I'll be saving the Tin Man's comment for davidjames he reckons the Unionists are extremely polite and the Nats are very rude and abusive.
The Tin Man
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:50 PM218 footdee: If where where people live is of great influence on you're thoughts, you are nuts.
wolfcrag
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:49 PMYou are deselected because you don't meet set criterion, YOUR NOT NEW LABOUR .
footdee
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:44 PMHorridHenrietta Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:40 PM Oh dear I think I've upset the Tin Man. Most people are happy to say where they live.-----------------dont worry he`s threatened people on here before ,he goes into rages
footdee
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:41 PMCagey Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:24 PM 207 Moniker - I heard there was a sectarian angle to this, Matheson being protestant and Purcell was catholic. Is there anything in that?-------------------there always is with glasgow labour when chasing votes ----thats why they are against the anti-sectarian laws ,they hope to appeal to both sets of old firm supporters
HorridHenrietta
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:40 PMOh dear I think I've upset the Tin Man. Most people are happy to say where they live.
The Tin Man
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:34 PM213 HorridHenrietta: Who the F. cares, you marsterbateur?
The Tin Man
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:32 PM210 Moniker Lewinsky: Unfortunately, I do do see this whole carry on as an attempt to build big government. A big centralised government. Next year, we will get a National Police Force, without asking for it, so we hope the government are subtle?
HorridHenrietta
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:30 PM209 The Tin Man - I see you avoided answering my question about where you live.
Cagey
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:24 PM207 Moniker - I heard there was a sectarian angle to this, Matheson being protestant and Purcell was catholic. Is there anything in that?
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