LABOUR COUNCILLOR ADMITS BRENT RESIDENTS IGNORED - LORBER

1.10.35pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 16th Feb 2006

Tony Blair knows he could suffer even more defeats to the Liberal Democrats in the local elections in May.

Brent Council Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Paul Lorber has today congratulated Labour Councillor Jonathan Davies for his brave stand against the Labour leadership of Brent Council.

Councillor Davies has in this week's Willesden & Brent Times criticised the Labour administration for its 'Sham Consultations' and 'Waffle Shops'.

On Council Committees Councillor Davies says: "They're toothless. They are waffle-shops which serve no purpose whatsoever…Most people would be appalled by the substantial allowances that councillors get to sit on these committees that have no power."

On Brent's Labour Leadership Councillor Davies says: "The reason why I've become so disillusioned is that we (Labour councillors) are expected to be cheerleaders not participants in the process…the way the Labour Group works is that the leadership and officers make a decision - there are no discussion groups or proposal papers - and it comes as a fait accompli."

Brent Council Liberal Democrat Group Leader Paul Lorber said:

"It is interesting to hear Councillor Davies tell us what we always knew about the running of Brent's Labour Council. Councillor Davies deserves to be commended for his bravery in speaking out against his own party.

"The Liberal Democrats have long criticised Brent's Labour Council for its excessive allowances, their lack of consultation and their disregard for local residents.

"In May the people of Brent have the opportunity to express their views of the Labour Council just like Councillor Davies. Only the Liberal Democrats can beat Labour in Brent. The Conservatives are in a poor third place."