Here’s your new Northumberland council

Apr 4 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

IT was supposed to be the dawn of a bright new era for local government in Northumberland – but grumpy Labour councillors failed to join in.

Anger has erupted after several Labour members delivered a ‘childish’ snub by refusing to be part of an official photograph marking the arrival of the county’s new super council.

While most of their party colleagues agreed to have their pictures taken alongside Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Independent councillors outside County Hall, they stubbornly boycotted the formal group shot and remained inside the building.

It means the official photographic record of Northumberland’s first-ever all-purpose council is missing several of its 67 founding members.

Labour held political control of the county council for many years until being swept from power at last May’s elections, leaving the Liberal Democrats to form a minority administration. It is understood Wednesday’s photographic snub – on the first day of the new unitary authority – was a protest by some Labour members at what they see as an informal coalition between the Lib Dems and Tories to run the council.

Yesterday Lib Dem council leader Jeff Reid said: “I am proud to be part of this new authority and its inception, regardless of how painful its birth has been, and Wednesday was a historic day for Northumberland.

“For Labour councillors to refuse to take part in an official photograph, because they are unhappy with the new council, is spiteful and childish, and they ought to grow up.

“Their problem is they are not used to being in opposition, having had control of the council for so long.”

Tory group leader Peter Jackson said: “This was not an organised snub by the whole Labour group, but it is clear that certain individuals don’t feel supportive of the new authority.”

Blyth Labour councillor Deirdre Campbell, who along with group leader Grant Davey was among those who refused to be photographed, said she did it as a protest against increased charges and cuts in services being implemented by the new authority.

She said: “I have seen tears shed by staff at Blyth Valley Council in the last couple of weeks before it disappeared.

“I would rather be fighting for the people out there than getting my picture taken with the Lib Dems and Tories.

“I just didn’t feel it was appropriate to stand there with a big smile on my face, because it would be hypocritical.”