The Press has once again distinguished itself in facilitating a crude Labour Party attempt to discredit a LibDem Councillor. Whatever the facts of the case reported by the paper yesterday might be, an apology should have been the end of what was clearly a minor incident. Instead Labour were so outraged that they waited for 3 months before initiating a public handwringing episode which would have been more typical of a 14 year old schoolgirl suffering from a touch of the vapours, than supposedly mature politicians.
Had the media being equally vociferous when asked to investigate why the Walmgate ward had no fewer than 5 Labour Councillors in a period of less than 1 year, then their reputation for political neutrality might still have been intact.
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No matter. We are blessed with an open and frank approach by the Cabinet member for Leisure who has publicly reported in the register of interests, which can be seen on the Council’s web site, having received gifts or hospitality on only 4 occasions during the last 5 years (and only one since she took up her Cabinet post).
Others have reported attending dinners, the theatre, sports events and official openings – but the Leisure chief has punctiliously stayed away. Highly commendable.
Given that the register for many years required that OFFERS of hospitality must also be declared, she, however, may be wondering why she never seems to get on the guest list?
NB. The Council changed its rules a few weeks ago requiring a formal declaration of hospitality received to include only those events valued at over £50. Prior to that, members were required to declare all gifts and hospitality received which had a value of £25 or more. Many Councillors however routinely record in the register all hospitality received irrespective of value.
Next week – “The Blackpool connection”.
