• I WAS shocked and saddened by Camden Labour’s leadership blocking Paul Tomlinson restanding for their party, (The big purge? Councillor who spoke out against new skyscraper on green space is deselected by Labour, December 2).

He may be from a different party from me, but he has been an exemplary councillor and I ask that they reverse the decision.

As the leader of Camden Conservatives, it is unusual for me to praise Labour councillors. But in this case it is well-deserved. And if Labour want to reverse their decision, he has my permission to print my praise on his re-election leaflets!

Paul never sought me out as leader of the opposition or sought to work with my Conservative colleagues for political reasons.

Unlike the decision to block him from standing, he never thought about it through a party prism; and he would never hide when we disagreed.

We were on different sides in elections but we were on the same side in wanting residents to have a voice – as all councillors should be.

On Camden’s developments on Camley Street, I’m proud that our joint efforts brought the first “call-in” challenge ever to overturn a decision of Camden’s cabinet; because that meant residents in his ward were heard and time was bought to improve the plans – as it’s every councillor’s job to ensure.

On scrutiny, I’m honoured that he joined me in calling for a restoration of full committee meetings scrutinising the council after Covid.

Because that meant, instead of remaining docile and dormant, we as councillors could voice residents’ concerns – as it’s every councillor’s job to do.

On the 22-storey Brill Place tower, I was gratified to see him challenge Camden approving an unwanted high-rise in a low-rise area, towering over scarce local green space, with minimal affordable housing. Because that meant residents had a voice instead of being bulldozed by Camden’s constant reach for high-rises – as every councillor should oppose.

He probably won’t appreciate me saying this, because it was exactly his putting community before his party that got him into trouble with the Labour leadership and led to his deselection.

But working across party lines is exactly what councillors are meant to do. Paul did what every councillor should, and put residents first. Yet in Camden doing that seems to mean you’re not fit to stand for Labour.

I implore Camden Labour to change their decision to block Paul from restanding and to urgently change their ways and end the lack of democracy, diversity, and accountability at the heart of Camden Council.

CLLR OLIVER COOPER
Leader, Camden Conservatives