There were red faces among the Labour opposition when they brought to the council chamber an issue which has nothing to do with North East Lincolnshire.
At the recent full meeting of NELC in Grimsby Town Hall, their motion about a historical miners’ strike in South Yorkshire was overwhelmingly defeated.
The motion demanded that the Government review its decision to not hold an enquiry into the events which happened during picketing at Orgreave on June 18, 1984.
Members agreed that those events – such as wrongful arrest – and the impact of them cast a dark shadow on Britain’s history.
Indeed, some ex-miners live in North East Lincolnshire, and holidaymakers from South Yorkshire are very welcome here.
But wasting valuable time in the council chamber debating an issue which has no direct impact on this borough – when more pressing, local issues could have been tabled by Labour – was branded an “absolute shambles”.
NELC leader Philip Jackson was amazed by the debate, and told the chamber that he wished there had been more members of the public to witness Labour’s conduct.
The motion was put forward by Labour councilor Ros James, who asked that NELC also requested a letter to be sent to the Home Secretary expressing the council’s opinion.
There was a moment of awkwardness when Councillor James breached council procedure and used part of her ten-minute allocation to discuss the Hilsborough tragedy. Councillors are allowed only to debate the details of the motion. Hilsborough was not detailed in the motion, so Councillor James was reprimanded by NELC Chief Executive Rob Walsh.
She was seconded by Councillor Chris Nichols, who made a five-minute speech about the undoubtedly concerning issue. His presentation was incredibly passionate, and he waved a book about Hilsborough in the air.
Councillor Jackson was astonished at Labour’s conduct. “I just cannot believe that we are debating on something that happened 35 years ago many tens of miles away from North East Lincolnshire,” he told the chamber.
“It just shows how totally out of touch the Labour Group is on this council. We have people in this chamber who weren’t even born when this was happening.
“I am even more amazed by the way in which the debate has progressed. We have heard what can only be described as a rant. You could see the faces of some of the Labour members, thinking ‘I wish I wasn’t here’.
“I wish there had been more members of the public here. It was a real revelation.”
He added: “There are some real selective memories. People forget it was an unofficial strike. It’s a disgraceful motion.”
Councillor Ian Lindley said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like this. The Labour Group should hang their heads in shame.
“The Labour Group seriously need to take a good look at themselves when proposing motions to Full Council. Yet again we see another Labour motion that contributes nothing to how this council functions, or what we deliver to the residents of North East Lincolnshire.
“This motion is an absolute shambles. When this Conservative administration took control of this local authority in May, we did so with a clear mandate from the residents. Our campaign was based on a manifesto built around local issues – and yet we see the Labour Group continuing to persist with bringing motions to this chamber based on national or trade union driven initiatives.
The general public will be appalled to hear that we are having a debate around events that occurred 35 years in South Yorkshire. This is not debate for this chamber. It’s little wonder that the public have no confidence in Labour in North East Lincolnshire.
“Needless to say I will be opposing this motion, and perhaps in future Labour will think twice about the issues that they bring to this chamber for debate. In the meantime, the Conservative Group will continue to serve our local community, addressing local issues, and focussing on the priorities that this local authority values.
“After all we are here to represent the people that elected us – we owe our service to the residents. Oppose this motion, and let’s get back to local politics.”
Councillor Stan Shreeve told how he has helped some miners living in his Humberston and New Waltham ward with issue – but never once have they raised Orgreave with him.
Labour councillor Tim Mickleborough spoke about the police’s involvement in Orgreave, and insinuated that police officers are attacked today because of public disillusionment.
His comments were countered by members who praised the police’s work. Councillor Debbie Woodward told how she would be ashamed if any police officers or PCSOs were listening in the public gallery.
Members voted 12 for and 22 against. Two abstained, and the motion was not carried.
Councillor Bill Parkinson said: “The way Councillor Nichols took us through the events and the way he spoke was bordering on venom. This chamber is no place to air such grievances.
“It does not involve this council. What we should take from this is that there should be some sort of filtration system for rejecting inappropriate motions.”
The current Conservative administration will now seek answers from NELC officers about the ‘quality control’ of future motions – ensuring they are suitable, and do not waste valuable time.
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