Council leader faces no confidence vote at special meeting (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Labour leader Richard Williams to answer claims he brought council into disrepute
11:30am Friday 15th June 2012 in Southampton
By Matt Smith, Politics and business reporter
Council leader Richard Williams
SOUTHAMPTON’S new council leader will be forced to answer claims he misled the public over the resignation of a Cabinet member at a special council meeting later this month.
Conservatives have called an extraordinary council meeting to demand Labour councillor Richard Williams is removed from his office for bringing the council into disrepute.
The council leader is accused of misleading the public over the real reasons for the resignation of his efficiency tsar just two weeks into the job to avoid political embarrassment.
Cllr Williams said in a council statement that Councillor Keith Morrell had quit for health reasons, when in fact he was fighting fit.
As revealed by the Daily Echo, Cllr Morrell later admitted it was a “fiction” cooked up to avert a damaging public policy split after he had told Cllr Williams he was going as he could not defend looming cuts and savings that will need to be made to balance the books.
Cllr Williams, who said he welcomed the debate to clear up any “confusion”, insists Cllr Morrell told him he was quitting due to ill health.
The Tory motion states: “In view of the real reason for the resignation of councillor Morrell as Cabinet member for efficiency and innovation, being that he did not agree with the new Labour administration’s proposals to deal with the council’s budget problems and not that he was ill as publicly stated and repeated by the leader of the council, that the leader has brought the council into disrepute and accordingly the council has no confidence in him, and resolves to remove him from the office as Leader”.
Labour Cabinet members, who were initially gagged from speaking to the press by regional party bosses, told the Echo they have full confidence in Cllr Williams.
The extraordinary council meeting will be held on June 25.
Comments(43)
Condor Man
says...
11:45am Fri 15 Jun 12
loosehead
says...
11:52am Fri 15 Jun 12
Condor Man wrote:Condorman what about Barnes-Andrews statement that Williams was lying about refuse collections & resigning from the shadow cabinet?
I'm prepared to cut Williams some slack if he was told by Morrell that health was the issue. Then again, the PM was alleged to be very vague yesterday on his recall of events.....
One disgruntled councillor fine but two calling him a liar can you honestly believe he's telling the truth & the other two are lying?
bigfella777
says...
12:11pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Linesman
says...
12:15pm Fri 15 Jun 12
If the opposition cannot understand that, and get their priorities right, perhaps that is why they are now the opposition.
tootle
says...
12:38pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Walter K
says...
12:47pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Not too disimilar to the bunch currently in No.10 then.
Verloren Hoop
says...
1:01pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Shoong
says...
1:05pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Linesman wrote:What's more important than the Council Leader misleading the electorate?
In the current situation, are there not more important issues that the Council should be dealing with?
If the opposition cannot understand that, and get their priorities right, perhaps that is why they are now the opposition.
Stop attempting to make excuses for the wrong horse you backed.
Shoong
says...
1:07pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Walter K wrote:Yawn, do please focus on the situation at hand i.e. Southampton City council.
...."the whole labour election campaign was based on lies and promises that cannot be delivered"
Not too disimilar to the bunch currently in No.10 then.
IronLady2010
says...
1:10pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Shoong
says...
1:16pm Fri 15 Jun 12
IronLady2010 wrote:Surely the previous lot can't be any worse, this lot couldn't wait 2 weeks before imploding! :)
Can we bring this meeting forward so we can carry on with the great work Royston started and continue making improvements to our great City!
IronLady2010
says...
1:21pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Get this meeting over with fast and get back to running the City and making more and more improvements. Good luck to everyone, I don't care who is running the Council if they do a decent job!
Taskforce 141
says...
2:20pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Unfortunately we have to pick the best from a bad bunch and still end up with crap.
Its about time there was a rethink with regard to elected representatives of the people, the ancient Greek model for example was free from abuse and corruption - it was a lottery and every person would be included. Admittedly I have my doubts about who could get called to represent the people, but it stops those who are selfishly motivated and corrupt getting power...
dave1958
says...
2:48pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Ironlady2010, what ever happens Labour will still be running the City for the next 2 years, this is not like parliament. And as for you other Tory Trolls grow up and start living in the real world not through the rose tinted glasses, no sorry that should be blue rinse glasses you have on. The electorate of Southampton have rejected the Tory Party, and Royston Smith. We will see what happens in 2 years time.
aldermoorboy
says...
2:48pm Fri 15 Jun 12
IronLady2010
says...
2:54pm Fri 15 Jun 12
dave1958 wrote:Dave, I have never suggested Labour wouldn't be running the City after this meeting. I just want it over with so who ever is running the City (Labour wise) can focus on one thing without the negative thoughts!
what is Cllr bully boy, comb over Royston Smith going to achieve by calling this special meeting. Look at the simple majority 11. I know math is not one of Roystons strong points but I would have thought that Cllr Jeremy Moulton would have seen that. How many times could Labour have done exactly the same thing when Cllr Bully Boy Comb over Royston Smith was leader. It just shows that he has nothing to fill his day with now, perhaps he should go and start running the security company that he is a director of.
Ironlady2010, what ever happens Labour will still be running the City for the next 2 years, this is not like parliament. And as for you other Tory Trolls grow up and start living in the real world not through the rose tinted glasses, no sorry that should be blue rinse glasses you have on. The electorate of Southampton have rejected the Tory Party, and Royston Smith. We will see what happens in 2 years time.
I also suggested, it makes no difference about how or why the meeting was called, it HAS been called and now has to be dealt with.
Let's just get it over with, so we can continue to improve our City for both residents and visitors.
Shoong
says...
2:57pm Fri 15 Jun 12
They didn't.
'start living in the real world not through the rose tinted glasses, no sorry that should be blue rinse glasses you have on.'
I'm sorry you'll have to pass the
'rose tinted glasses'
to others as you seem to be wearing them already.
And as for the 'comb over' comments, do grow up. Maybe these adult issues just aren't for you, come back when your voice breaks maybe.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
3:33pm Fri 15 Jun 12
aldermoorboy
says...
4:35pm Fri 15 Jun 12
andysaints007
says...
6:27pm Fri 15 Jun 12
dave1958 wrote:And just what is wrong with a 'comb over' ? Lets see a pic of you then - promise we won't take the p*ss out of you !!
what is Cllr bully boy, comb over Royston Smith going to achieve by calling this special meeting. Look at the simple majority 11. I know math is not one of Roystons strong points but I would have thought that Cllr Jeremy Moulton would have seen that. How many times could Labour have done exactly the same thing when Cllr Bully Boy Comb over Royston Smith was leader. It just shows that he has nothing to fill his day with now, perhaps he should go and start running the security company that he is a director of.
Ironlady2010, what ever happens Labour will still be running the City for the next 2 years, this is not like parliament. And as for you other Tory Trolls grow up and start living in the real world not through the rose tinted glasses, no sorry that should be blue rinse glasses you have on. The electorate of Southampton have rejected the Tory Party, and Royston Smith. We will see what happens in 2 years time.
IronLady2010
says...
6:56pm Fri 15 Jun 12
I don't judge a person on a haircut, but that's my choice being an adult.
Northam Lady
says...
7:53pm Fri 15 Jun 12
IronLady2010
says...
8:00pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Northam Lady wrote:Good question! Will the public be allowed in the gallery?
Is this a "public" meeting where one can pop along and see/hear what is actually going on? or am I being naiive?
I doubt it, there will be some regulation which keeps it behind closed doors.
Although Southy will no doubt have exclusive access as he's part of the secret club which no-one else can join! Then Barmy will have a say as he knows as much as Southy, in the meantime, we as residents are none the wiser!
Northam Lady
says...
8:11pm Fri 15 Jun 12
HillsidePaul
says...
8:32pm Fri 15 Jun 12
What constitutes a confidential matter is very strictly defined in law, and this issue is not one of them. So the meeting will be in public.
So if you want to go and watch this pointless waste of public money and the Council's time, to massage Royston's ego then fill your boots.
Northam Lady
says...
8:42pm Fri 15 Jun 12
IronLady2010
says...
8:45pm Fri 15 Jun 12
HillsidePaul wrote:Is it a waste of public money though?
Council meetings are always in public apart from when confidential matters are discussed.
What constitutes a confidential matter is very strictly defined in law, and this issue is not one of them. So the meeting will be in public.
So if you want to go and watch this pointless waste of public money and the Council's time, to massage Royston's ego then fill your boots.
I'm not taking any sides, but if we have a Councillor that lies from the start, what good is that for us residents?
Without suggesting Royston is the best, at least he was honest and tackled things head on rather than behind the scenes?
No matter what, we need a Councillor that will continue the great work Royston started, If Williams can live up to that then fair play! If not, get rid and find someone else.
Linesman
says...
8:56pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Shoong wrote:As this is supposed to have happened AFTER the council elections, I fail to see how the electorate were misled.
Linesman wrote:What's more important than the Council Leader misleading the electorate?
In the current situation, are there not more important issues that the Council should be dealing with?
If the opposition cannot understand that, and get their priorities right, perhaps that is why they are now the opposition.
Stop attempting to make excuses for the wrong horse you backed.
As it happens, I backed the right horse, which is why the Donkey is no longer leader.
IronLady2010
says...
9:01pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Linesman wrote:As you say, these issues come up after the elections. Perhaps the residents have been misled?
Shoong wrote:As this is supposed to have happened AFTER the council elections, I fail to see how the electorate were misled.
Linesman wrote:What's more important than the Council Leader misleading the electorate?
In the current situation, are there not more important issues that the Council should be dealing with?
If the opposition cannot understand that, and get their priorities right, perhaps that is why they are now the opposition.
Stop attempting to make excuses for the wrong horse you backed.
As it happens, I backed the right horse, which is why the Donkey is no longer leader.
Not saying this is the case, but it needs sorting and fast!
Northam Lady
says...
9:04pm Fri 15 Jun 12
loosehead
says...
9:32pm Fri 15 Jun 12
When Royston & the Tory council said the safest way to save jobs is to cut pay for the better off council workers they called him a liar.
When Williams did a press interview in which he stated there would be improved working practices nothing was said.
Then another press interview & he said 1-10 refuse jobs to go & fortnightly collections.
Hurried meeting of the Labour party & surprise,surprise the Echo lied he never said that sound familiar?
Then before let's say it again BEFORE the elections Barnes - Andrews resigns fro the shadow cabinet because Willams was lying about refuse collections in his words.
Now we have Morrell saying the same thing & that's Williams has lied to us & the Council.
yet you come on here & blame Royston for wasting money?
I still remember Anti Royston posts saying he'd staged the shootings on the sub as a PR stunt?
You will all look so stupid when fortnightly collections take place & council tax rocket & we're all paying more for less & those workers pay are not restored.
Labours witch hunt of Hunt failed wasted Parliaments time even though at Levenson he showed he did everything by the book at least he was telling the truth unlike Williams.
mrblunt
says...
10:40pm Fri 15 Jun 12
The 'tit for tat' comments are also the same.
About time they all started to work for the enhancement and to improve of Southampton, and not self promotion !!
OceansofRed
says...
11:56pm Fri 15 Jun 12
The labour party nationally are obsessed with Jeremy Hunt. Is week at PMQs their leader asked nothing about the Eurozone crisis.
Locally the first council meeting Labour were in control, the Tories asked questions about policies and the Labour people on here complained.
Now when there is an issue of trust in the leader of the council they don't like the questions either. But of course it's perfectly acceptable to do this nationally!
If you are going to go down the holier than thou route like you are nationally you can't be surprised when others ask probing questions of you.
I dont see why the labour robots on here are so worried, they keep saying Cllr Williams didn't lie so once that is proved in public what's the problem?
Linesman
says...
9:39am Sat 16 Jun 12
OceansofRed wrote:There is a great deal of difference in the two cases.
There's an awful lot of hypocrisy from labour supporters on here.
The labour party nationally are obsessed with Jeremy Hunt. Is week at PMQs their leader asked nothing about the Eurozone crisis.
Locally the first council meeting Labour were in control, the Tories asked questions about policies and the Labour people on here complained.
Now when there is an issue of trust in the leader of the council they don't like the questions either. But of course it's perfectly acceptable to do this nationally!
If you are going to go down the holier than thou route like you are nationally you can't be surprised when others ask probing questions of you.
I dont see why the labour robots on here are so worried, they keep saying Cllr Williams didn't lie so once that is proved in public what's the problem?
With one, it is claimed that National issues were involved and that the electorate were being influenced by a foreigner.
In this case, it is an internal dispute within the party that was elected to run the City Council.
aldermoorboy
says...
11:10am Sat 16 Jun 12
Denham and Whitehead are very quite on this subject, very strange.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
2:23pm Sat 16 Jun 12
aldermoorboy wrote:quite?
Linesman lying is not correct in public office. Honourable people resign, will Labour prove to be honourable?
Denham and Whitehead are very quite on this subject, very strange.
Paramjit Bahia
says...
4:09pm Sat 16 Jun 12
.
Tribal behaviour of political class where majority membership is misused by whips to undermine the true facts is contributing towards eroding ordinary decent people's faith in our democracy
.
In the process of transforming from a socialist party to voice of bankers big bussiness and the bosses NuLabour has also done away with basic principles of socialism, that public platform should only be used for telling the truth
.
While I as a socialist am never going to have sympathy for Tories, for the same reason (basic value of socialism) I must also not only respect their rights but also give credit when due
.
Tories are well within their rights to call this meeting, if they had not done that they would have failed in their responsibility as opposition in Council
.
As Cllr. Morell has already admitted that he agreed to lie with NuLabour's 'Dear Leader' but only changed his mind not because of any commitment to honesty in public office but because of concerns of his own friends, he has become a self confessed LIAR
.
Considering on top of that within his party he has already got record of saying one thing and doing the opposite, why on earth Labour Party has so far failed to kick him out?
.
Could it be that they are scared that if thrown out, with inside knowledge he may spill their beans?
.
YES at this meeting NuLabour will survive, but those who believe in honesty in public life should not let them get away with this shameful scandal and campaign till our Council stops sheltering liars and starts being honest in its statements and learns to respect freedom of the press
.
Such a campaign can be run by all those who are willing to unite for this purpose beyond political boundaries for saving our democracy from self serving hypocrites and liars, which ever side disgraceful people like Cllr. Keith Morrell may come from.
aldermoorboy
says...
4:40pm Sat 16 Jun 12
OceansofRed
says...
6:46pm Sat 16 Jun 12
IronLady2010
says...
7:04pm Sat 16 Jun 12
At least with Royston he tackled issues head on and didn't care about the abuse he received. We lost a good leader, but now have to place our trust in this wish wash Council.
Let's hope we can move on and continue with the great efforts of the past few years.
No matter who is running the Council, can we just continue with the improvements please.
RICK ALLANACH.
says...
6:10pm Mon 18 Jun 12
The Conservatives have all along said there would have to be cuts. They were decent and honest enough with the electorate. They also managed to keep front line services by asking for a modest pay cut, thus saving jobs at a time of austerity.
Labour on the other hand lied to the electorate.
Anyone with an ounce of common sense knew this before the elections and that included the Trade Unions.
Labour are only ever good at one thing and that is preying on the poor and ill educated.
loosehead
says...
9:14pm Mon 18 Jun 12
RICK ALLANACH. wrote:The truth is people have had it drilled into their heads Labours for the working class & the Tories are for the rich so if your working class & vote Tory your vilified & called Tory scum I get it from my own family.
There's one big difference between the Southampton Labour party and the Conservatives.
The Conservatives have all along said there would have to be cuts. They were decent and honest enough with the electorate. They also managed to keep front line services by asking for a modest pay cut, thus saving jobs at a time of austerity.
Labour on the other hand lied to the electorate.
Anyone with an ounce of common sense knew this before the elections and that included the Trade Unions.
Labour are only ever good at one thing and that is preying on the poor and ill educated.
Yet they don't seem to know how to answer when you ask them how someone on the social is financially better off than them when they work?
Then they blindly vote Labour instead of voting for the party that would be best for city or country.
These people aren't unintelligent but for some reason they just can't accept they're wrong
George4th says...
11:40am Fri 15 Jun 12
>
As for Williams? In a time of austerity when strong leadership is required, he managed to loose one shadow cabinet member just before the elections and one cabinet member immediately after the elections. Something wrong somewhere!