Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Cllr Alan deselected for writing Flickr blog

The cllr for Tottenham Hale Alan Stanton is facing deselection by the Labour Group over the use of his Flickr blog to discuss issues around the financial mismanagement of Ally Pally and other developments by some of his colleagues.

It seems Alan will not be forgiven for 'breaking ranks' and telling people the truth about what his colleagues get up to. Transparency is actually quite an uncomfortable thought for some it appears.

Alan appears to be the only sitting cllr to be deselected, despite his hard work on behalf of the residents over things like CPZ lines, illegal fines, litter and dumping and Ally Pally.

Alan is going to appeal against the decision. let us hope the Labour Group see sense and start appreciating Alan's true commitment to transparent local government.

UPDATE: Alan's appeal was successful

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on June 21, 2009 at 0:07

Thanks to everyone who has posted messages of support. I shall be appealing against this decision and will let you know the outcome. In the meantime, to correct an apparent misunderstanding: I've never pretended to be 'super-independent' and I ain't no saint.

It may help to point out that all councillors - from whichever party or none - are required to follow the Ten General Principles of Public Life. Link here. It's fairly straightforward stuff.

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Permalink Reply by james walsh on June 21, 2009 at 7:28

Reminds me of lord 'mad bad and dangerous to know' Byron

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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on June 21, 2009 at 11:53

I wonder, if we apply this decalogue for Councillors to all the Telegraph's recent Westminster pin-ups, how many have sinned against 3, 5, 7 or all Ten Commandments. And how well does even that Scottish Son of the Manse measure up?

Alan, saint or no saint, stick to your Stanton principles.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on July 20, 2009 at 15:05

I promised to post an update over the weekend (18/19 July) about my possible deselection. But I had trouble logging onto Hol.

Several weeks ago all would-be Haringey Labour candidates - sitting councillors as well as new people - were interviewed by an external panel. The panel did not recommend me for approval on the list of Labour candidates.

I appealed against that decision and my appeal was heard by a second external panel on 15 July. On 17 July I heard that my appeal was successful. So I've been added to the list of prospective candidates for the borough Elections on 6 May 2010. (It's "prospective" because the final decision on the three candidates for each ward rests with members of individual ward branches.)

My thanks again to people who sent me messages of support and especially those who wrote to the appeal panel. Not to break the Hol ban on politicking, I'll add only that I've no intention of compromising my own principles; nor the "Ten General Principles of Public Life" which everyone elected to local government office is required to follow.

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Permalink Reply by matt on July 20, 2009 at 16:36

Good news Alan. Sanity prevails!

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on July 20, 2009 at 16:51

Thanks Matt. Our fruitful debates on Hol can continue as before!

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Permalink Reply by Justin Hinchcliffe on July 20, 2009 at 15:17

Given that the Tottenham Hale Branch Labour Party operates from Alan's front room, I doubt if he will have any problems getting re-selected for that ward (-: I'm sure Alan is delighted with the u-turn and, despite our many differences, wish him well for the future.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on July 20, 2009 at 16:38

I apologise for writing about the minutiae of Labour Party meetings. But can I please correct this misinformation.

Branch meetings of Tottenham Hale Labour Party take place in a local hall - which the party rents. The same applies to the meetings for shortlisting and selecting party candidates. All the selection meetings for next year's elections in every Haringey ward - for both Tottenham and Hornsey Wood Green - will take place in rented premises. No shortlisting or selection meeting will take place in anyone's private home.