Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Is Claire Kober running a dictatorship?
Below is a blog post that was written by someone who attended the Labour Party meeting where they selected their candidate for Noel Park.
It strikes me that many Labour members do not want Kober as Leader but she has subverted democracy ensuring only people supportive to her retaining power will be allowed to have a vote on her future. This does sound like a dictatorship.
Is this something we should accept as residents. What if there are better people out there to run our council and be our Leader but this is not being allowed? Surely democracy is vital? It sounds like Tower Hamlets.
Disclaimer: I am not a member of the labour party (because of antics below). I do not know Seema, although I had the pleasure of watching her in action at a council meeting and she ran rings around them, whilst still being calm and funny. I can see why Noel Park Labour wanted her.
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ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM, SEXISM, FIXING AND DICTATORSHIP FLY IN STORMY WOOD GREEN LABOUR PARTY MEETING
Following the resignation of Cllr Marshall in Noel Park ward, the Labour party started the process to select a new candidate to contest the by-election to be held on Sept 17th.
The two applicants for the role were Stephen Mann (husband of Haringey Mayor, Jennifer Mann) and Seema Chandwani.
Suspicion began when Mann started contacting members of the Noel Park branch of the Labour Party from mid-July. Ordinary members, unaware of the process were somewhat surprised a few weeks later to see an email sent on the 6th Aug 2015 to formally open the process with a closing date of 12th Aug. Ms Chandwani who had applied, had only been able to contact members from the evening of the closing date.
Both candidates were subject to an interview prior to Noel Park members voting on who they wished to select. The interviews were scheduled on Sat 15th Aug, however Mann already had his interview the previous weekend, before the deadline closed. On both of the interview panels was Cllr Elin Weston, the Councillor in Hornsey with Mann’s wife and also the chair of the Labour group, who herself would require votes from the new Noel Park Councillor to retain that position. Mann, a Hornsey resident would also be eligible to vote for Weston for her reselection in 2018.
Ms Chandwani was informed on Sun afternoon that she was not successful but was able to appeal; her appeal was rejected and she was only informed hours before the selection meeting.
Members of the Noel Park branch, unaware of the situation, turned up to cast their votes and were surprised not to see Ms Chandwani on the list of candidates. Many members were holding her leaflet and began to ask where she was. It was obvious as the discussion of her absence progressed that the majority had come to vote for her. If she was not rejected – she would have won.
Steve Hart, who was embroiled in the Falkirk election scandal, struggled to keep control of the meeting as concerns of racism, sexism and accusations of fixing in favour of Mann were made. Ms Chandwani was the only ethnic and woman candidate.
Members wanted to know the reasons of her being rejected as many did not believe from her literature and meetings they had with her that she was incapable. Ms Chandwani is currently the Secretary of the Tottenham Labour Party, one of the most senior positions in the party, members were bemused how someone in such a position could be unsuccessful. Tensions grew as Hart could not give any responses to the questions posed.
It is believed that Ms Chandwani was blocked as she is a “Lammy-Loyalist” [it is no secret that David and Seema are very close]. Tensions between the Council Leader Claire Kober and David Lammy have been simmering for a number of months as Lammy questions decisions made by the council on housing, youth centres and Marcus Garvey library. Kober in-turn has publically endorsed Lammy’s rival in the mayoral race. Blocking Ms Chandwani is being seen as another attack on Lammy from Kober. Some believe that Ms Chandwani’s popularity could see her overthrow Kober as Leader, leaving her and Lammy to overturn some of the decisions upsetting many residents.
Members of Noel Park branch were presented with Mann and two other candidates, both of whom the members had not heard from until the meeting. One was a former Councillor and the other the son of a current councillor – all were white males.
After the selection meeting Ms Chandwani tweeted congratulations to Mann. Mann, who ironically wrote a book on blacklisting, did not respond.
Ms Chandwani continues to be the Secretary of the Tottenham Labour Party for the third year, a position she won by being voted in by members from all 9 wards within the constituency, including Seven Sisters where Kober is a councillor.
2018 will be interesting.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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If you're the Director of Communications of Haringey Council then I don't think it's fair to write anonymously. If you're a private person criticising either the police or the local Labour Party then I recommend anonymity.
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Permalink Reply by 1lt1j1e9vpo6f on
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That I share my first name with someone who works at the Council is really that intriguing?
My comments about the Council and the Labour Party have been clear in that I hold both in a very negative light.
Your accusation is definitely more Clouseau than Poirot.
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"Clouseau than Poirot" <- That's fine. I like being made fun of if you can be witty about it :)
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Oh and hey I'm sorry Simon, I was not the first to accuse you of being Head of Haringey Council Communications, I just noticed that you didn't deny it.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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John McM
I admire your public-spirited attempts to cleanse the Augean Stables but the last time cost you a lot. Be careful: let someone else wield the mop.
A friend
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Permalink Reply by Philip on
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People on this post may soon receive a notice from the Labour Party which reads. 'we believe that you may not support the aims of the Labour Party(ie you might vote Jezza) and thus you can **** right off. yours fraternally........
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q1 Why was the extremely successful Secretary of a constituency deemed unacceptable to be put forward as a prospective councillor
q2 Who were those who were interviewed? Their names ? Their ethnicity ? Their Gender ? by the selection panel
q3 Who sat on the panel and appeals panel? By what criteria was the Secretary of a CLP judged incapable of being a councillor?
q4 Is there any direct or indirect connection between those doing the deciding and the successful candidates ?
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Probably because she speaks her mind, contributes to HOL and has a sense of humour. I'd vote Seema any day
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Permalink Reply by Justin Hinchcliffe on
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So would I. If I were an opposition councillor, I'd vote to give her more speaking time in the chamber :)
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The people in H&WG thought she didn't do enough canvassing over there for the general election.
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These are pivotal questions Keith. If I may add
- If she is considered appropriate for one position in the party then she should be for any?
- Were there others who didn't get through?
- What were their gender and ethnicity?
- Did they have a conflict of interest?
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hi they are one and the same her name is Seema Chandwani and she holds the highest officer post in the party, that of secretary of the CLP. She was stopped from standing for a vacant council seat in Hornsey and Wood Green. This debate is about why?
I hope that helps mate
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