In a heated town hall spat, a senior Liberal Democrat in Liverpool has called for Labour councillors to either show up to meetings or face the consequences. Richard Kemp, a long-serving councillor himself, has taken aim at Sarah Doyle, Tom Logan, Elizabeth Hayden, and Collette Goulding (currently suspended from the Labour Party) for their poor attendance record. According to Kemp, these councillors have only attended between three and five council meetings in the last 18 months, a stark contrast to the expected level of engagement.
Kemp's demands are twofold: either these councillors give up their annual allowance of £13,932 or they resign, triggering by-elections. He argues that their absence from council meetings is a betrayal of the trust placed in them by their constituents. The councillors, however, are not backing down. They claim to be actively working for residents, fulfilling their duties beyond the confines of council meetings.
Doyle, for instance, emphasizes her deep connection with the local community, citing her weekend campaigning efforts and her preference for offline engagement over social media. Hayden, on the other hand, highlights her active presence in the community, contrasting it with Kemp's reliance on social media.
Kemp, a veteran politician elected in 1973, believes that councillors should be more engaged, especially in planning meetings and committee sessions that significantly impact their communities. He points out that none of the councillors in question attended the authority's annual budget meeting in March, which he finds appalling. Kemp also suggests that if a councillor is unable to attend due to illness or personal circumstances, their political group should arrange a substitute.
The situation raises questions about the expectations and responsibilities of councillors. Kemp argues that those who don't participate fully should either give up their allowance or resign, ensuring that by-elections can bring in fresh, hard-working representatives. However, the Labour Party's response is defensive, emphasizing the diverse range of responsibilities councillors undertake, much of which occurs outside formal committee meetings.
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions and scrutiny within local politics, with the Liberal Democrats holding Labour to account for the attendance of their councillors. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the Labour Party will address these concerns and whether the councillors will heed the call to improve their attendance.
