Labour WILL join George Ferguson's cabinet after all
Bristol's Labour party has made an apparent u-turn on joining new mayor George Ferguson's cabinet.
On Wednesday night members of the Labour party in the city voted against joining the cabinet - but last night after the public expressed their disappointment at that vote, the city's Labour councillors decided to go against that vote.
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A Labour source contacted ThisisBristol this morning about the move - and then live on Radio Bristol Labour leader Peter Hammond told George Ferguson about what had happened.
Yesterday ThisisBristol reported that Labour party members had voted against joining Mr Ferguson's "rainbow cabinet".
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Dozens of people commented on the story saying they were disappointed with the decision.
Mr Hammond revealed live on air this morning: "The Labour councillors have examined all the evidence that we have got.
"We have been listening to what the people of Bristol have been saying.
"They have taken the view that the Labour party should participate in George Ferguson's cabinet.
"We have agreed that we will be participating in George Ferguson's cabinet. The decision was taken last night."
This was news to Mr Ferguson.
He said: "That's really good news for Bristol. I hope that we work together for Bristol's good. I know there are some good people you [Labour] can provide for the cabinet."
Mr Ferguson revealed that he had asked Labour councillor and former leader of the council Helen Holland to be deputy mayor.
He has also asked Labour councillor Mark Bradshaw to come on board and focus on transport.
A third seat will go to a Labour councillor - but Mr Ferguson has asked the party to come up with a shortlist of possible candidates to fill it.
ThisisBristol understands that Labour councillors met on Monday night to discuss joining the cabinet, but had deferred their decision to the end of the week.
A Labour source told ThisisBristol that the vote by Labour party members on Wednesday was advisory only - and that when councillors met again last night they decided they did not agree with the way the vote had gone.
Comments
by J12345678
Monday, November 26 2012, 12:33PM
“in, out, in, out,
that's what bristol labour party's about”
by macadam212
Monday, November 26 2012, 11:38AM
“If councillors leave the Labour Party - they can stand as independents in the next council elections.”
by nogbutt
Sunday, November 25 2012, 10:55PM
“oh no they won't
ohhhh yes they will
oohhhhhhhh no they won't
the panto never stops around here.”
by Bert_Hindle
Sunday, November 25 2012, 10:54PM
“Peter Hammond has resigned!?”
by Geoffers007
Sunday, November 25 2012, 7:13PM
“I hope Mayor Ferguson won't leave three empty places in his cabinet, as he said last week. Why not simply split them between the other parties - I'm sure he can find three suitable candidates who are prepared to put Bristol first.”
by Bert_Hindle
Sunday, November 25 2012, 6:58PM
“http://tinyurl.com/c43h889
Apparently, the "repercussions" tweet was from @BristolLabour, which is a fake account, and nothing to do with the party.
However, I still think this is a massive, massive mistake. George has offered, effectively, fair proportional representation resulting from the election, and Labour have decided that their voters' votes don't count.”
by ashleyvale
Sunday, November 25 2012, 6:55PM
“How pathetic do Bristol Labour look now? Can only hope some of the Labour councillors have the guts to defy NEC. Not holding my breath.”
by matic_113
Sunday, November 25 2012, 6:41PM
“so is that an 'O' turn then ??”
by Brizz_Tony
Sunday, November 25 2012, 5:01PM
“So now it's 2 U-turns. Is that a W turn?”
by TerryMedlock
Sunday, November 25 2012, 1:56PM
“Talk of a u turn is way off the mark”