Barnet Council appoints a new leader (hopefully)

David Floyd reporting from Hendon Town Hall

Barnet Post is at Hendon Town Hall this evening to (hopefully) see Barnet Council elect a new leader following this month’s local election.

I will be reporting on events as they unfold with a full report later this evening.

Mayor Danny Rich is beginning the meeting reflecting on the recent series of antisemitic attacks in the borough – going on to talk about the recent visit of the King to Golders Green following the stabbings there.

7.26pm – Nominations for leadership

Labour councillor Ross Houston nominates Barry Rawlings.

Conservative councillor Richard Cornelius nominates Peter Zinkin with the words: “I would like to nominate councillor Zinkin who won the popular vote.”

The nominating councillors are now speaking in support of their nominees, with Cllr Houston going first in support of Cllr Rawlings.

He describe the use of the mayor’s casting vote to “preserve continuity” as a “constitutional principle”.

Seconding, Labour Kath McGuirk compares the current situation in Barnet to the result of the 1951 general election when Labour won the popular vote and the Conservatives formed the government.

Intriguingly, she has not cited the 2016 American presidential election.

“Now is the time for grown up politics, not flashy soundbites” says Cllr McGuirk as she reflects on Cllr Rawlings’ personal kindness.

Cllr Cornelius, speaking of favour of Cllr Zinkin says: “The idea of collaborative working will be very new for Barnet”

He says of Cllr Zinkin: “He has been the architect of many corrections over the years.”

Reiterating the point about the Tories winning the popular vote, he says: “I’ve never been a supporter of proportional representation but maybe now is the time.”

Addressing the mayor, with the (slightly tongue-in-cheek) suggestion that he “Knowing that you are a Rabbi, maybe we can expect you to exercise the judgement of Solomon”

Reflecting on new administrative relationships put in place due to the close result, he quips: “We will make it work, as least until the first by-election”.

Concluding he asks: “I urge you, Labour councillors to think about this, wouldn’t you rather have Cllr Zinkin as leader”.

Seconding, Cllr Cory Turner says:”The spiral of overspending and debt is clearly unsustainable.”

“Our residents have given us the democratic mandate to lead with by far the highest vote in this election.”

“The right thing is rarely the easy thing.”

Now, Green councillor Charli Thompson in her first speech in the chamber: “Residents chose a chamber with three parties represented, with the Green Party getting 16% of the vote”

“The proposals effective create first class and second class councillors – and therefore first class and second class residents.”

“It seems that we are in for more of the same with the Conservatives now teaming up to continue the status quo.”

7.50pm – Voting on nomination of Peter Zinkin

Green councillor Charli Thompson has voted against – with Labour and Conservatives voting for and against as expected. The vote is lost 32-31.

7.54pm – Voting on nomination of Barry Rawlings

The Conservative group are abstaining. This means Barry Rawlings will return as council leader.

Cllr Thompson is only councillor to vote against with all Labour councillors voting in favour and all Conservatives abstaining. The vote in is passed 31-1.

7.59pm – Constitutional changes

Cllr Thompson is speaking in opposition to changes agreed by the two main parties, including removal of deputations from council meetings.

She says the changes: “appear to have been agreed by the major parties behind closed doors”.

8.05pm – Break

We now have a short break in proceedings for papers relating to the rest of the meeting to be distributed.

The big (if not unexpected) news is that Conservatives have chosen to avoid a never-ending leadership vote by abstaining on Cllr Rawlings’ nomination, allowing the Labour leader to be reelected to his post.

8.10pm – Appointment of Deputy Leader

Cllr Rawlings appoints Cllr Houston as deputy leader.

He appoints Cllr Zinkin as a “non-executive cabinet observer” as part of the pre-arranged deal between the two parties.

8.15pm – Committee appointments

Councillors now discussing the revised committee arrangements brought about by the unusual election result. Both Cllr Zinkin and Cllr Rawlings thank officers for all their hard work on this.

8.19pm – Nomination of mayor

Cllr Rawlings and fellow Labour councillor Alison Moore nominate their colleague Zahra Beg. She receives the chain of office from Cllr Rich and takes the chair.

8.23pm – Appointment of deputy mayor and civic ambassador

Labour’s Humayune Khalick is appointed as deputy mayor with Conservative councillor Lachhya Bahadur Gurung appointed to the new role of civic ambassador.

8.28pm – Meeting closed

That’s a wrap.

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