Newcastle Labour has condemned the Liberal Democrats for submitting a last-minute amendment to the Governance Review after months of open and constructive cross party working. Every political group had the opportunity to contribute to the review and shape its recommendations. The Liberal Democrats chose not to raise these proposals at any point during that process.
Instead, they have now put forward an amendment at the final stage that would increase the number of Special Responsibility Allowances paid to councillors. Newcastle Labour is clear that this amendment has been brought forward to spare Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Mitchell embarrassment. It has nothing to do with improving governance and everything to do with protecting their own interests.
The Liberal Democrats have previously attacked Labour for what they claimed was “adding to the burden of the public purse for political purposes.” Their words. Their public platform. Their supposed principle. Now they are the ones trying to increase allowances for councillors to protect one of their own. The hypocrisy is not subtle. It is glaring.
As their amendment has not been considered by the Constitutional Committee, it must be referred back there before returning to full Council in December, causing an entirely unnecessary delay to the Governance Review after months of work. At Finance and Budget Scrutiny, the committee expressed support for the review, yet even there the Liberal Democrat chair attempted to obstruct its progress.
Councillors Karen Kilgour and Alexander Hay, Leader and Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council, said:
“The Liberal Democrats were fully involved throughout this process. They waited until the end to try to rewrite it for their own political convenience. They accused others of adding to the public purse for political purposes, yet now they are the ones proposing to increase allowances. The hypocrisy is obvious. This is about sparing embarrassment, not improving governance. It wastes time and it disrespects the cross-party work that has taken place.”
Newcastle Labour is pleased that the Liberal Democrat amendment was defeated in the chamber. The Liberal Democrats attempted to rewrite months of cross-party work for their own political convenience and council has made clear that this behaviour will not be rewarded. The original proposals will now be implemented in the interests of the city, not the interests of one party.