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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 24 October 2008

Cllr Andrew Cornwell

‘Film and shame these unruly politicians’ plea

POLITICIANS who clashed like “playground gangs” have sparked a call for Town Hall debates to be shown live on the internet as a way of encouraging better behaviour.
Members of the public left in disgust as councillors shrieked at each other, read newspapers, ate bananas and took photographs at the full council meeting earlier this month.
The uproar was sparked by a Lib Dem motion calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Labour councillors jeered and the Lib Dems heckled back as shocked members of the public looked on.
Later, on an internet blog Lib Dem finance chief Councillor Andrew Cornwell attacked the opposition for “walking around, making private conversations, taking out books and newspapers”. He added: “Labour leader Catherine West, obviously keen to get in her five a day, started on a banana.”
Cllr Cornwell now wants a live webcast of Town Hall meetings, adding: “Had there been a filmed record on Thursday, I doubt most Labour members would have shown such contempt for proceedings. And I suspect Lib Dem behaviour would have improved too.”
Labour group leader Councillor Catherine West said: “Calling for Gordon Brown’s resignation was basically a wrecking motion so we couldn’t participate. They should change the constitution so the opposition can bring forward two motions so we can be more productive.”
Defending her own actions, she said: “I don’t think it’s out of proportion to have a small snack during a three-hour meeting.”
Green councillor Katie Dawson compared councillors to “gangs in the playground, showing off in front of their friends”.
She added: “It’s insulting to the people we represent. They are making a huge mockery of the whole thing.”
Patricia Napier, a member of Islington Conservatives who witnessed the uproar, criticised Lib Dems for debating government failings ahead of “issues of real concern such as crime and housing”.
She added: “The behaviour of councillors on both sides was ludicrous. This was over an hour of Islington taxpayers’ money wasted.”

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