The Northern Echo, by Stuart Arnold, Thursday 24th March 2005
THE ruling Labour party on the region's biggest council was in turmoil last night after its leader was de-selected from his seat.
Councillor Ken Manton, who represents Sedgefield on Durham County Council, will have to step down after elections in May after he was de-selected by his local Labour branch.
The Northern Echo first revealed in December last year how Coun Manton's position was under threat amid claims that he had lost the confidence of members of the Sedgefield constituency Lab-our party.
It is understood that one of the issues that brought matters to a head was over a lane in the town regularly used as a stopping point for travellers.
Residents repeatedly called for a lockable gate to be installed to close it, but Coun Manton consistently refused to support the request.
He was heavily criticised at a series of fiery public meetings over the issue, culminating in a vote of no confidence in him last year.
His de-selection has shocked many people in Labour circles, and also brought condemnation from political opponents.
It was thought that he could be replaced by a woman under party plans to increase the number of elected female representatives.
But party officials confirmed that his replacement will be John Robinson, a Sedgefield town and borough councillor.
Last night, Coun Manton, who has been a member of the county council for 16 years and spent the past four as leader, said he fully accepted the outcome.
He said: "It has been an honour and privilege to be a member and leader of Durham County Council.
"I fully intend to go on working within the Labour Party to achieve our objectives, and would hope that I can continue to play an active and major role in Labour politics for the foreseeable future."
Meanwhile, one of Coun Manton's former Labour colleagues, Bill Blenkinsopp, has criticised the party.
Coun Blenkinsopp, who was recently de-selected as a Labour candidate, said: "The Labour Party are just a disgrace. People are using their authority to witch hunt people out of their positions."
Independent county councillor John Shuttleworth said: "Ken Manton has done a very good job as leader of this council.
"I have had many a run-in with him, but all for the right reasons, and it is a scandal that someone of his calibre should be deselected."
Coun Manton's deputy, Don Ross, said many at County Hall were disgusted by his treatment.
He said: "A lot of people are devastated and upset.
"The man has been damned for no good reason to the detriment of the county council."
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Blog Archive
-
▼
2005
(445)
-
▼
March
(88)
- Looks like no more wind from East Midlands Ass
- Regional responsibilities in the UK — and in the EU
- Where's Michael Howard's Balls?
- Bemused by brochure from 'rejected' assembly
- Regional assembly powers defended
- Freedom of Information Act
- Can't pay, won't pay
- NORTH-EAST ASSEMBLY
- De-selection leaves Labour in turmoil
- TRADER'S FIGHT OVER SCALES
- but will they withdraw and stop paying?
- European Commission buck passing begins
- Chris Foote Wood bends it like Beckham
- European Commission employees given a little 'remi...
- Copy of letter of letter from Miss H Buchan 13.01....
- Copy of Local Government Ombudsman’s report concer...
- Letter from Neil Herron to Newcastle City Council ...
- Letter from Ms. Valentine, Newcastle City Council ...
- Letter from Nasreen Ahktar, 15.02.05, Newcastle Ci...
- Letter from Neil Herron to Newcastle City Council ...
- Newcastle City Council Parking Tickets 'Illegal?'
- Local Authorities becoming worried over their 'ill...
- Open Letter to MacShane
- Straight answers required from North East Assembly...
- PRESS RELEASE FROM CORNISH TRADERS
- MEP's salary, expenses and allowances...and no vot...
- Labour elite join pre-election rush for safe seats
- City of Sunderland – Continuing Breach to/of Const...
- Party Lines - EU
- In a file note from the Parliament and Constitutio...
- The Jaws of the Trap Are Closing: The Courts and t...
- Sunderland Echo Letters - EU
- Conservative MEP Martin Callanan on the case of 'o...
- European Commission employee, John Jones, to be in...
- Bombshell for the Assemblies across the country
- Labour MP launches devastating attack on Blair...j...
- Unelected assembly branded waste of money
- Assemblies exempt from FoI Act
- Euro probe into abusive email
- FUTURE FOR REGIONAL ASSSEMBLIES
- Think again John
- Prescott's regionalisation programme by stealth be...
- North East Referendum mystery may be cleared up
- Prescott does not understand the word No
- Tories lead as even a 70% majority fails to bring...
- European Commission Vice President to get involved?
- "Is this the true face of the European Commission?"
- What Tony Says doesn't appear to be what Raynsford...
- Your Elected Representatives. Who are they?
- The response to Mr. Jones' abuse...the true face o...
- The true face of the Commission (part 2)
- The true face of the European Commission
- This man works for the European Union!
- Oh what a tangled web they weave!
- Will another one bite the dust?
- Heard this somewhere before?
- EU Constitution and the Metric Martyrs Judgment
- Law Reports:Summary of Judgments
- More turning against 'regions' plans
- "Another One Bites the Dust!"
- Postal Ballots Safe?
- Hidden cost of Prescott's regional folly
- Prevention of Terrorism Bill
- Prevention of Terrorism Bill - Letter
- Now they are desperate...One Gravy Train Derailed....
- Yes vote cost seven times more than a No
- Regional chiefs bid tackle 'transport bias'
- Figures reveal true cost of assembly vote
- Call to watchdog on assembly cash
- All the money in China couldn't have bought a Yes ...
- Vincent Grant fights back - and wins - over out of...
- Electoral Commission in Backbone contest with Jell...
- Response from NCP - PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE
- NORTH-EAST ASSEMBLY
- National Parking Adjudication Service is not a cou...
- National Parking Adjudication Service is not a cou...
- Is your Local Authority Part of the Decriminalised...
- 2½ million drivers pay penalty in the parking tick...
- Letter from Neil Herron to Ged Fitzgerald
- Acknowledgement from Ged Fitzgerald, 8th July 2004
- Response from Elaine Waugh, City Solicitor, 13th A...
- Response from Neil Herron to Elaine Waugh 24th Jan...
- City of Sunderland Council Reply
- Press Release Sandwell Council
- Prescott warned about 'No' vote
- Millions wasted on vote doomed to fail
- Parking Ticket Challenge Against Sunderland Council
- Research ignored
-
▼
March
(88)
No comments:
Post a Comment