THE Labour group on Thurrock Council has asked former council leader John Kent to lead them until their May annual meeting.
Former group chief and leader of the opposition, Cllr Oliver Gerrish, stepped down at a special meeting of the group on Wednesday (29 August) evening.
The new leader said: “I have agreed to take the post because I believe it is imperative a strong and unified opposition is necessary to highlight, combat and correct the many mistakes being made by Thurrock Council.
“I fear for the future of the council. In a hung council there needs to be a strong culture of consensus building between groups that just isn’t there and there must be a culture of openness which, again, just doesn’t exist at the moment.
“We councillors must have trust in council officers and the officers must respect councillors; I too many cases that isn’t the case at the moment.
“That must change. I have been at this council long enough to remember the last time those relationships broke down and everything that followed.
“It’s not often I agree with our MP, but unless we get this sorted out – and it’s more and deeper than disagreeing about the number of homes to be built here – but if something’s not done soon, the government will intervene. That takes everything out of our hands as elected representatives.”
“I want to thank Oliver, but the job of opposition leader in a hung council is one that – as he found – takes up a lot of time and effort. I will do that for nine months, but no longer.
“We continue to question and scrutinise decisions and policies; I expect to be briefed honestly by officers on a regular basis; and I promise, as best I can, to ensure the council works for the best interests of all Thurrock’s residents.
“We need to make decisions, we need to look to the future, and we need to be sensible. Thurrock Council is split three ways and I call on both of the other two groups to join with me in putting things straight.”
I quit life and reality.
Democracy and Freedom are DEAD.
Maggie started the fuck up and killed capitalism for neoliberalism.
Blair was a total disaster just ask any Iraqi.
The Republicans and the Democrats. the Conservatives and New Labour are working for a few corporations and global elites.
It matters little people who you vote for they are ALL BOUGHT AND PAID FOR AND JUST SELL YOU OUT.
I just give the fuck up.
They don’t care about small and medium sized businesses they don’t care about people.
John Kent now theres another winner in life. The man has winner all over him. Selling Britain out by the pound. Like Jackie Doyle Price.
US and UK politics is full of fossilized shit. They are all FOSSILIZED SHIT TO ME NOW.
The numb nut is back. We just have to make sure Labour never get in and screw us over even more.
You pair of fools.
Rockat keep voting the same way every time expecting a different outcome. that is the definition of insanity.
Rocket1 you have displayed on here your as much of a numpty as Kent.
I mean come on…Purfleet -on -Thames, John Kent…no wonder the borough’s in a mess. Bet your campaigning to save the Lesbian Whale too
I am a supporter of the LBGT community. I don’t like that remark.
I also watch a lot of lesbian porn on pornhub as well. So don’t like you making fun of my favourite hobby as well.
if brains were made of dynamite you pair would not be able to pop your ears.
Lol
Your comments say it all, no wonder Labour’s in such a mess.
Rocket. New Labour and the Blairights are Tory Lite.
They serve the 1% and will stab Corbyn in the back when or if he ever did get elected.
The Tories are 100% pure 1%.
If you want something different than the 1% vote someone else. I vote green.
We need a GLobal revulution against Neoliberalism its fucking Serfdom.
Next they will privatise Sunlight to the Koch Brothers. Its the great rock and roll swindle.
Vote green??,are you serious??,they are a bunch of Marxist anti Semitic lunatics.
Ok. I didnt know that. I wont on hearing that so who do I vote for Rocket?
I don’t bother,they are all clowns.
I use to do that. so did local bloke Russell brand. and we got fucked over and fucked over and will always be fucked. Unless we react. So wake up and react. vote. use it or lose it. they will privatise it.
Are you going to start a revolution?.
Can I be Wolfie?.
If a revolution is needed yes.
There seems to be more reasons for one as time goes on.
What are you going to call your movement?.
Brandanistas sounds good.
1. It aint going to be my movement. I ain’t no leader.
2. I ain’t creating shit.
But things will happen with the people around the world if things keep going down a neoliberal path.
Wake up you two.
We will always be had over by who ever is in authority.
That is politicians, police, education, NHS, the whole lot have incompetence stamped right through them.
But please – spare us from more idiot John Kent.
A New World Order is coming.