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| Two-horse race to grab leader’s
job |
Housing chief poised to step up
after shock departure
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Front-runner Cllr Raj Chada
Deputy leader Cllr Theo Blackwell
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HOUSING chief Raj Chada is edging towards victory in the frantic
race to become the next leader of Camden Council, party sources
claimed last night (Wednesday).
Labour councillors want Councillor Chada, a criminal lawyer, to
succeed Dame Jane Roberts, who told party colleagues on Thursday
afternoon that she would not be seeking re-election after nearly
six years as leader.
Her decision has thrown open an intriguing leadership contest. Labour
members will vote for their preferred successor at a private session
on Monday night.
Well-placed insiders, however, believe the contest could be straightforward
and have strongly tipped Cllr Chada to lead the council.
One source said that the meeting could turn into a “coronation”
rather than an election.
Cllr Chada, often spotted behind the wheel of his trendy two-seat
sports car as he travels between his office at Hodge, Jones and
Allen in Camden Town and the Town Hall, would not be drawn on whether
he was even standing for the top job.
But insiders have strongly suggested that he is embroiled in what
is effectively a two-horse race with current deputy leader Councillor
Theo Blackwell.
With experienced councillors such as environment supremo John Thane
and leisure boss Phil Turner thought to have ruled themselves out
of the race, and treasurer John Mills and education chief Nick Smith
stepping down from the council, members have few options.
Licensing chief Lucy Anderson and backbencher Julian Fulbrook are
the only other possibilities circulating within the party.
One source told the New Journal: “We don’t really have
much choice, do we? You can say what you like about Jane but she
did hold everyone together.”
Opposition members claim Cllr Chada and Cllr Blackwell, both elected
to the council in 2002, lack the experience for the job.
Cllr Roberts dismissed the criticism, insisting that she would be
content if the next leader came from the pool of recently-elected
councillors.
She said: “We have great talent in the Labour group. You look
at the young talent that came onto the council in 2002 and they
really have exceptional ability.”
The two favourites are understood to have spent the last week checking
support among colleagues and assessing their chances of victory.
Candidates must supply a written statement to members by tomorrow
(Friday) in support of their claim to the borough’s top job.
Cllr Chada, well regarded within the party, is thought of as measured
and level-headed in times of crisis.
One source said: “If he doesn’t know something, then he
won’t mess you around. He’ll just be honest with you.”
Cllr Blackwell, who currently handles media coverage, rose to the
position of deputy leader within a year of joining the council.
A year later he was stripped of the position when Councillor Sue
Vincent successfully challenged him.
But, after Cllr Vincent stepped down earlier this year, Cllr Blackwell
regained the position, uncontested.
Rumours are now rife that Cllr Blackwell, who also refused to comment
on the leadership battle, could step aside in favour of Cllr Chada,
instead of facing a potentially humbling ballot defeat against a
member whose popularity as a potential leader has grown steadily
throughout the week.
One senior councillor said: “Raj’s name is the one that
instantly springs to mind. Theo has a habit of talking too much.
He has something to say on everything and I’m not sure everybody
likes that.” |
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Look for vintage not barcode
FULL STORY...
... and another thing....
Typical isn’t it? You leave the country for a few days
and when you get back everything you thought you knew is wrong.
FULL STORY...
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