Councillor Marianne Overton MBEChaos in Westminster has seen the Prime Minister lose vote after vote and now his tactical shutting down of Parliament could be unlawful. Many of his own members have turned against the party whip, determined to vote with their consciences.
This is a big year for us. It will bring a changed UK-EU relationship and possible Parliamentary elections, while we continue to help our communities to thrive in an¬ ever-challenging funding environment.
In my first column since April, because of local, European and group elections, I start with huge congratulations to our members who did so well in May and formally welcome all of our new members to the LGA Independent Group.
We soon enter purdah and then the planned group elections, so I wanted to thank you and wish you luck if you are standing locally in May.
The once faithful party whip lies in tatters. The Conservatives called the EU referendum, called a General Election, lost their majority, and brought back from Michel Barnier, the EU’s Chief Negotiator, a Brexit deal so damaging that members won’t vote for it.
The scrapping of the housing borrowing cap, Brexit and community safety were among the issues discussed at the LGA Independent Group’s recent annual conference.
“We are still £3.1 billion short and longer-term solutions for care, health and devolution have been delayed”