Committees and cabinet

There has been a degree of discussion both on this site and elsewhere about Cllr Barrie Anderson and offers made in relation to positions on the Lewisham cabinet. I have not been fully involved in these but I will comment on what I know.

It seems that Steve Bullock asked a number of people from across the political spectrum to sit in the cabinet. Most dismissed the offer out of hand. Barrie wanted to see what concessions could be obtained in return for a Conservative presence on the cabinet e.g. veto over council tax rises and a halt to the closure of Ladywell pool.

There was some disagreement within the Conservative group as to the best way to move forward. A seat on the cabinet could help to reign in the worst excesses of the Labour Mayor but it could be seen as propping up the very Labour administration that voters had so recently rejected.

The comments already made on this site (clearly by people closely linked to Lewisham council) show how quick some are to turn any kind of discussion or disagreement into a pseudo scandal. This is Lewisham not Watergate.

Barrie has decline Steve Bullocks kind offer. The Conservatives will continue to hold the Mayor and cabinet to account from the backbenches.