Cllr Paul Bretherton
ANGER is growing among Labour activists at Warrington following the “night of the long knives” which led to seven councillors being de-selected and a number of others being forced to switch wards.
In particular there is fury over the “sacking” of long-standing executive board member Cllr Kate Hannon (above), who learned she had been de-selected from her Orford ward seat just three days after attending her granddaughter’s funeral.
Two prominent Labour supporters have spoken out over the decision – pointing the finger of blame at Labour’s regional office and also Warrington North MP Helen Jones.
Former Unison shop steward Malcolm Groarke, who worked for the borough council from 1994 until he retired in 2013, said: “Like most people who heard of the de-selection of Kate Hannon I was utterly appalled.”
He was particularly angry that Cllr Hannon had been replaced by Morgan Tarr – a paid employee of Helen Jones.
He said: “The decision to de-select a long serving woman candidate with the experience and professionalism of Kate can only have come from the higher-ups.
“It’s well known that the MP does not get on with the present Labour leadership of the council, so to arrange for her to be de-selected by a less experienced person, and since that person is employed by Helen Jones in the MP’s office is outrageous. I call on Morgan Tarr to resign.”
Former Labour councillor and Longford community leader Roy Humphreys who was Mayor of Warrington in 1997-98, said he was “disgusted” at what had happened.
He said: “Kate has helped the people of Orford all her life. I’m disgusted by Labour and this will only harm them with the electorate.
“This is supposed be a party that stands for fairness and equality. What is fair and equal about someone who is a paid employee of an MP ousting a veteran cabinet woman? He is not from Orford, never met any residents or residents associations – he is not welcome in Orford.
“There’s real anger on the streets of Orford.”
Cllr Paul Bretherton, who was de-selected from his Rixton and Woolston seat, said: “I am devastated by my de-selection as a candidate for the local elections, and I feel a sense of anger and bewilderment.
“I was first elected back in 2007 when I was the first Labour gain, locally, in five years and would be the last Labour local gain until 2010.
“Since then I have since been re-elected in 2011 and again, only some eight months ago. Each time I have increased both mine and Labour’s majority so I must have been doing something right.
“However the opportunity to continue and stand again as a Labour candidate, in the ward where I was born, raised and served, has now been denied to me.
“While I agree with the principle of gender equality, I feel that its implementation has been badly handled, and the process rushed in at the last possible moment. A lot of experienced and knowledgeable people will now be lost and you have to ask the question, with the current squeeze on town hall finances, is that a sensible strategy to adopt?”
Cllr Bretherton said he would continue serving local residents until May and would like to thank fellow councillors and local residents who had contacted him expressing disbelief that he had been sidelined so soon after being re-elected.
Other councillors who have been de-selected as part of Labour’s policy of ensuring there is at least one woman candidate in each ward are Jeff Richards (Bewsey and Whitecross), Billy Lines-Rowlands (Poulton North), Bill Brinksman (Rixton and Woolston), Andy Heaver (Great Sankey North) and the Mayor, Geoff Settle (Poulton North).
A Labour spokesperson said changes to ward boundaries meant sitting councillors were required to seek selection in the same way as any other member of the panel.
“The result is a more representative team of Labour candidates who will seek the support of the people of Warrington in May.”
8 Comments
Surely gender should not be the basis of selection, but the best person for the job? I’m all for equality, but it has be earned and deserved not based solely on gender and the desire to look politically correct. People will remember that loyalty counts for nothing, and that works both ways!
reminds me some years ago when the then leader of the council Mike Hughes was also taken off the candidates list by Labour. How many of his former colleagues came to his defence is questionable. This was due to his policy regarding the siting of the new Rugby ground at the former Tetley Walker site. Like they say politics is a blood sport. Does’nt matter how good you are as a councillor. It’s all to do with party politics
If the public knew what actually went on in the Labour Council, they would know that stabbing people in the back is a daily occurrence, so when the knives end up in the stabber for a change, they shouldn’t be surprised. Some of those councillors mentioned were hard working good honest people, but some are lazy hangers-on….it isn’t their right to be selected every time, just because you were the last few times, which as we all know is carefully organised so that no-one new gets a ‘look-in’. Sometimes a change is as good as a rest, who knows, the new people standing, may make a positive change to the shambles that is the Labour Council as we know it in Warrington. Don’t forget, we were are under ‘Special Measures’ for years, you need to ask yourselves why?. We were under ‘Special Measures’ for years, because the people in charge in the Labour group have been the same people in charge there for years. If nothing changes, nothing changes! Be aware councillors, you have to work for the people of Warrington, not just take the money and run! I can see why Clr Kate Hannon is annoyed, she’s also had various other positions within the council, earning her quite a tidy sum, as does her husband and her daughter…all councillors for Orford. Come on….are you telling me that it is fair to have one family in control completely….are you telling me that no-one else ever tried to stand as a councillor in Orford…can’t you smell a rat! It’s time someone else had the chance to prove themselves. Not all change is bad.
Nepotism has a been a regrettable and stultifying feature on either side of the political spectrum in Warrington for more years than I care to remember. As you say Paula it does little to serve the best interests of the electorate; who are all the poorer for it. That said, neither does “a change is as good as a rest” attitude.
Do you mean Paula that to replace Kate Hannon with someone from Helen Jones office is as you say is fair that same person is employed by the M.P. is fair and not impartial and won’t be running to the M.P.’s office at the first sign of any problems. The old system of councillors being picked by the Local Government Committee was suspended at the time of deselecting MIke Hughes, this allowed those in charge to parachute the ‘yes’ men/women in to any wards in the borough at the detriment of ordinary members. where do these people think we are a third world communist state
Dear Realist… I thought they were all in the same Party, it should be the best person for the job, that being said, how would we ever know if there is a better person, if it’s monopolised every selection to re-instate the existing councillor…whether they’re good a it or not. Ultimately it was up to the ward members who they chose. Addressing your second point, what is so wrong with going to your MP for help if needed?, that’s what they are there for!
Surely Paula it’s what goes on in the Labour Party not the Council, It was the regional Labour party in co hoots with The M.P’s office that has caused all this. Tell us all otherwise if I’m wrong
Dear TRUTH…It is a Labour controlled Council, so how can you split the Council from the Party? The Labour Council is divided into two (North & South) The mentality of the local labour Council is… ‘If you’re not with us…you are against us’, and this is on both sides. We are ONE PARTY!!! The few honourable, moral councillors are torn in-between, they want what is best for the people of Warrington, which is the reason most people put themselves forward to be a councillor, god knows it’s not for popularity. Unfortunately the leader of the Council, Terry O’Neill surrounds himself with yes men and women, and has his own agenda and it’s probably the same for both CLP’s.