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Labour frozen out in new leader deal
6:47pm Tuesday 22nd May 2007
The leader of the largest political group on Bradford Council has turned down the chance to run City Hall because he will not work with the Conservatives.
Councillor Ian Greenwood was offered the deal by the Tories and Liberal Democrats - in return for an all-party executive and a shared policy agenda.
But Labour refused and now remains frozen out of any power-sharing agreement.
It follows a deal brokered between the Conservative group leader Councillor Kris Hopkins and Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, which saw both parties yesterday voting to keep Coun Hopkins as leader of the Council.
Coun Greenwood said: "We will not enter into an all-party executive.
"We would have been prepared to do a deal with the Liberal Democrats but they chose the Conservatives. These are the people who have made an absolute mess of the district - why would we want to answer for those that have ruined it in the first place."
Coun Sunderland said: "Labour is the largest party, but does not have the largest number of votes. We were very clear with Coun Greenwood - lead an all-party executive, and we will support you, as long as there is an agreed programme of work."
In a joint statement Coun Hopkins and Coun Sunderland pledged to work together for the good of the district.
It said: "We believe the outcome of the Council's annual meeting has the potential to bring about a new era of mature politics for Bradford district.
"Since the local elections on May 3, we have endeavoured to find common agreement with each other and with the Labour and Green parties on forming an all-party executive with a shared policy agenda for the betterment of all residents in the district.
"Regrettably, such an agreement proved impossible because of the Labour Party's inability to accept the rights and views of other groups on the Council. They have refused to participate in an all-party executive or an agreed programme of work."
The programme, agreed in principle, includes: - money from the sale of Leeds Bradford Airport earmarked to bridge the funding gap in the special schools programme; - a complete review of the contract with Education Bradford - the private company which runs the district's schools; - redoubling efforts to see an early start and successful completion of the new Broadway shopping centre and project to reintroduce the Bradford Canal; - a target of 75 per cent of employment, training and trading opportunities in regeneration schemes to go to local people; - increased delegation of budgets and responsibility to area committees, including £100,000 per ward to fund small investment projects "We believe this is a good day for Bradford Council and, as a result of our agreement, feel strongly that a platform now exists for the district and its citizens to make significant progress towards a more confident and prosperous future," the joint statement added.
Your Say YourBradford
johnny h, says...
7:10pm Tue 22 May 07
johnny h, says...
7:10pm Tue 22 May 07
johnny h, says...
7:10pm Tue 22 May 07
Al Spade, says...
8:14pm Tue 22 May 07
Al Spade, says...
8:14pm Tue 22 May 07
Al Spade, says...
8:14pm Tue 22 May 07
Al Spade, says...
8:14pm Tue 22 May 07
Asim, Bradford says...
9:18pm Tue 22 May 07
As for Greenwood's comments about the Conservatives ruining the district - I'm obviously forgetting the almost utopia like situation we were in when Labour were in control.
Asim, Bradford says...
9:18pm Tue 22 May 07
As for Greenwood's comments about the Conservatives ruining the district - I'm obviously forgetting the almost utopia like situation we were in when Labour were in control.
Asim, Bradford says...
9:18pm Tue 22 May 07
As for Greenwood's comments about the Conservatives ruining the district - I'm obviously forgetting the almost utopia like situation we were in when Labour were in control.
Asim, Bradford says...
9:18pm Tue 22 May 07
As for Greenwood's comments about the Conservatives ruining the district - I'm obviously forgetting the almost utopia like situation we were in when Labour were in control.
Al B Black, City Centre says...
9:48pm Tue 22 May 07
Al B Black, City Centre says...
9:48pm Tue 22 May 07
Al B Black, City Centre says...
9:48pm Tue 22 May 07
Al B Black, City Centre says...
9:48pm Tue 22 May 07
Sharon, Bradord says...
10:31pm Tue 22 May 07
To the people who knock him if you think you are as good or better dont sit at a computer stand as a local councillor. In other words stand up or shut up.
Sharon, Bradord says...
10:31pm Tue 22 May 07
To the people who knock him if you think you are as good or better dont sit at a computer stand as a local councillor. In other words stand up or shut up.
Sharon, Bradord says...
10:31pm Tue 22 May 07
To the people who knock him if you think you are as good or better dont sit at a computer stand as a local councillor. In other words stand up or shut up.
Sharon, Bradord says...
10:31pm Tue 22 May 07
To the people who knock him if you think you are as good or better dont sit at a computer stand as a local councillor. In other words stand up or shut up.
hopeful, says...
6:43am Wed 23 May 07
hopeful, says...
6:43am Wed 23 May 07
hopeful, says...
6:43am Wed 23 May 07
hopeful, says...
6:43am Wed 23 May 07
RW, Bradford says...
11:51am Wed 23 May 07
Sharon, this is democracy - it's a rubbish system but it's the best one we've got, and if people can't have their say then we're lost.
This messageboard is one of the better things the T&A has done in recent years, and telling people to stop expressing their opinions is childish and dictatorial.
And I'm afraid I must agree with several posters - Labour are putting their party before the needs of the city, again.
RW, Bradford says...
11:51am Wed 23 May 07
Sharon, this is democracy - it's a rubbish system but it's the best one we've got, and if people can't have their say then we're lost.
This messageboard is one of the better things the T&A has done in recent years, and telling people to stop expressing their opinions is childish and dictatorial.
And I'm afraid I must agree with several posters - Labour are putting their party before the needs of the city, again.
RW, Bradford says...
11:51am Wed 23 May 07
Sharon, this is democracy - it's a rubbish system but it's the best one we've got, and if people can't have their say then we're lost.
This messageboard is one of the better things the T&A has done in recent years, and telling people to stop expressing their opinions is childish and dictatorial.
And I'm afraid I must agree with several posters - Labour are putting their party before the needs of the city, again.
RW, Bradford says...
11:51am Wed 23 May 07
Sharon, this is democracy - it's a rubbish system but it's the best one we've got, and if people can't have their say then we're lost.
This messageboard is one of the better things the T&A has done in recent years, and telling people to stop expressing their opinions is childish and dictatorial.
And I'm afraid I must agree with several posters - Labour are putting their party before the needs of the city, again.
waterside, saltaire says...
1:18pm Wed 23 May 07
waterside, saltaire says...
1:18pm Wed 23 May 07
waterside, saltaire says...
1:18pm Wed 23 May 07
waterside, saltaire says...
1:18pm Wed 23 May 07
Sharon, Bradford says...
5:17pm Wed 23 May 07
You are missing the point.
Stand up or Shut up.
The reason I wrote this comment is some people think they can do a better job. They are very good at making comments. If they think they can do better job than Mr Greenwood then why not stand as a local councillor and see how easy it is. (Or not.) If they cant then stop moaning about it.
Some people express some good comments but some people just pull other people to bits.
Sharon, Bradford says...
5:17pm Wed 23 May 07
You are missing the point.
Stand up or Shut up.
The reason I wrote this comment is some people think they can do a better job. They are very good at making comments. If they think they can do better job than Mr Greenwood then why not stand as a local councillor and see how easy it is. (Or not.) If they cant then stop moaning about it.
Some people express some good comments but some people just pull other people to bits.
Sharon, Bradford says...
5:17pm Wed 23 May 07
You are missing the point.
Stand up or Shut up.
The reason I wrote this comment is some people think they can do a better job. They are very good at making comments. If they think they can do better job than Mr Greenwood then why not stand as a local councillor and see how easy it is. (Or not.) If they cant then stop moaning about it.
Some people express some good comments but some people just pull other people to bits.
Sharon, Bradford says...
5:17pm Wed 23 May 07
You are missing the point.
Stand up or Shut up.
The reason I wrote this comment is some people think they can do a better job. They are very good at making comments. If they think they can do better job than Mr Greenwood then why not stand as a local councillor and see how easy it is. (Or not.) If they cant then stop moaning about it.
Some people express some good comments but some people just pull other people to bits.
Lisa, Bradford says...
9:11pm Wed 23 May 07
Lisa, Bradford says...
9:11pm Wed 23 May 07
Lisa, Bradford says...
9:11pm Wed 23 May 07
Lisa, Bradford says...
9:11pm Wed 23 May 07
Your sayYourBradford
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johnny h, says...
7:10pm Tue 22 May 07