Documents obtained by the Liberal Democrats show Haringey’s ruling Labour party sees itself as weak and incompetent, and failing to get even the basics of housing and the council tax right. The revelations, contained in Haringey Labour’s internal council group election manifestos, are certain to embarrass Labour, with its regular claims that the poorly performing council has ‘turned the corner’ in terms of its local record.

Councillor Charles Adje, Labour’s finance spokesman, who failed by just four votes to oust present Labour leader George Meehan earlier this month, said in his own manifesto:

“We have delegated substantial levels of power to officers without proper monitoring…” and “We are seen as talking tough but not acting tough.” Mr Adje went on to say that “Our peers … [see us] as a non-performing council, which is lacklustre, without focus and direction.”

Cllr Narendra Makanji, who was chosen as Community Involvement lead member, admitted in his manifesto that Haringey Council wastes money on regeneration projects. “The funds available for neighbourhood renewal are often frittered away on consultants and experts drawing up grandiose plans,” he said.

Cllr Isidoros Diakides, who was successful in his bid for the Housing portfolio, wrote:

“Our performance rating by the Government and our tenants’ satisfaction rates are amongst the lowest in London,” and “Our main failure as a council is in ‘getting the basics right’.”

Commenting on the controversial revelations, Ross Laid, Lib Dem leader on the council, said:

“Now we know what Haringey Labour councillors really think, and it reveals the extent to which Labour knows that they are failing the people of Haringey. Particularly telling is the admission that Labour see themselves as having limited influence and little ability to turn the council round.”

Cllr Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson, adds:

“When Labour admits that they can’t even get the basics right, it says a lot about the state of the council. The admission that the council fritters away money is bleak news for local council tax payers, who have suffered such huge increases this year.”