Labour councillor Paul Tomlinson has been blocked from standing again

• SOME two weeks after the rejection of Councillor Paul Tomlinson as a “suitable” candidate to continue representing the St Pancras & Somers Town ward on the grounds of “not meeting the minimum standards expected of a Labour councillor”, my rage at this unjust decision, denying local people the opportunity to vote for Paul, has not subsided; quite the reverse, (The big purge? Councillor who spoke out against new skyscraper on green space is deselected by Labour, December 2).

Paul’s integrity and incredibly hard work has earned him respect and gratitude not only in the ward he was elected to serve but wider afield. Indeed within the ranks of Camden councillors Paul is widely respected.

Meanwhile other members who have done little to support their constituents have sailed through the selection process which takes no account of tardiness, dishonesty, poor attendance at council and other meetings, etc, but they have one thing in common; they can all be relied upon to nod at a signal to do so.

Reading the article (Deselections: Labour only wants yes-men, says blocked councillor, December 9) reinforced my own observations.

I have listened to and / or watched numerous council sessions and the input of Cllr Leo Cassarani during housing scrutiny committees has been exactly what is needed; clear and probing, seeking answers to penetrating and salient questions. In other words, fulfilling exactly what is required in his role.

Instead debate, such as exists, is largely stage-managed and dissent from the party line, irrespective of the merits of individual arguments, a sacking offence. Sticking your hand up at the right moment trumps all else.

The leader and cabinet style of administration exacerbates the democratic deficit and concentrates decision-making in the hands of fewer and fewer individuals holding increasing amount of power. Processes exist to provide a superficial appearance of democracy.

Irrespective of the genuine attempts of individual councillors to hold the administration to account, the scrutiny process is largely a toothless tiger.

And deputations, particularly those to full council, attempting to change policy are just a cruel piece of theatre where on occasions senior councillors seek to make deputees with genuine concerns appear self-serving.

It would be interesting to know how many deputations have changed council policy ever. On behalf of a deputation I led I asked this question over two years ago and still have not received an answer.

Camden Council regularly trumpets its credentials of being open and transparent while council decision-making and processes become even more opaque.

In the Brave New World of Labour politics loyalty to the increasingly ruthless party apparatus and obeying the whip trumps all other considerations.

If elected councillors cannot occasionally object to policy or grossly inappropriate development we are truly in a bleak place and democracy in Camden is a sham.

FRAN HERON
Chair, Ampthill Square Tenants’
& Residents’ Association
& Camden Town
District Management Committee