Haringey’s beleaguered ruling Labour group is today facing criticism from the opposition Liberal Democrats for refusing to grant any chairs of council scrutiny committees to the opposition party.

The move from Labour comes despite the huge increase in the number of Liberal Democrat councillors and early informal indications from the ruling party that they would offer the chair of at least one important ‘scrutiny panel’ to the Lib Dems. The Lib Dems say the move makes a mockery of claims by the Labour council leader that he would listen to the results of the local elections in the west of the borough.

The new system of scrutiny committees, based on the Westminster model of select committees, should allow opposition members to take charge of some of the committees which act a ‘watchdog’ over the council executive – as happens in Parliament.

Instead, Haringey Labour has simply carved up the posts for themselves.

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem leader of the opposition comments:

“It is very disappointing, though not surprising, to see Labour return immediately to its old ways. Quite clearly they have learned nothing from the election results, and there will be no change at all in their attitude. It is just more of the same.”

The Liberal Democrats were this morning still celebrating their dramatic gains in Haringey’s boroughelections. In a stunning advance, the party moved from three seats to 15 on the council – and through their dramatic capture of the Highgate ward, secured a Tory wipe out in the process.

The Lib Dem gains meant a night of disaster for Labour in the west of the borough, as seat after seat fell to the Lib Dem challenge.The party is now placing Haringey Labour on four years’ notice to quit the town hall, and will bid for an overall majority of council seats in 2006.

In the Hornsey and Wood Green parliamentary seat, the Lib Dems easily outpolled Labour across the ten wards, and will move forward with confidence in their bid to take the constituency at the next general election.

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition, comments:

“This is a stunning advance for the Liberal Democrats. Four years ago I vowed that the three of us would be the hardest working councillors in the borough and I’m sure it will be the same for the 15 councillors. I want to thank the people who have given us this wonderful result.”

Note: The Liberal Democrats won the following wards:

• Alexandra – Dave Beacham, Wayne Hoban, Susan Oatway
• Crouch End – Ron Aitken, Peter Floyd, David Winskill
• Fortis Green – Matt Davies, Barbara Fabian, Stephen Gilbert
• Highgate – Bob Hare, Melanie Simpson, Neil Williams
• Muswell Hill – Jonathan Bloch, Lynne Featherstone, Ross Laird

Haringey Council is now 42 Labour, 15 Liberal Democrat with the Conservatives having lost all their seats.

Labour’s loss of 12 seats makes it their worst result since 1968.

In the Hornsey and Wood Green constituency there are 15 Lib Dem and 15 Labour councillors, with the Lib Dems winning more votes across the constituency than Labour.