Haringey’s ruling Labour party last night forced a constitutional crisis upon the Borough when they forced through proposals to dramatically change the Borough’s constitution without any consultation with the Liberal Democrat Opposition. The move came at last night’s Constitutional Advisory Committee, an all-party body looking at changes to the way the Council should be run.

The unexpected move, breaking a previous agreement between the two parties, forced Lib Dem leader Cllr Ross Laird and Whip Cllr Stephen Gilbert to withdraw from the meeting, leaving the future of Haringey’s constitution in disarray. The Lib Dems are now demanding urgent discussions between officers and party leaders to resolve the crisis.

The Lib Dems have voiced concerns about many of the changes, which include restricting the number of questions opposition councillors can table at the monthly council meetings – often the only way of forcing Haringey Council to answer key questions, say the Lib Dems.

Cllr Ross Laird, Leader of the Opposition comments:

“Labour is behaving outrageously, completely abusing their power. Constitutions are meant to be non-partisan, yet Haringey Labour has decided that they will call all the shots, not consulting with Opposition Councillors, despite what they had agreed.

“Liberal Democrats will not stand idly by and watch the Borough’s constitution being trashed by the Labour Group and we will do our utmost to ensure that our right to ask questions, and local people’s rights to petition the Council are upheld. The opposition has its rightful role to hold the Labour Executive to account.”