Election Fever Hits Council Meeting

At the full Tower Hamlets Council meeting last night, the mood was
dominated by the approaching election.

Labour realised that motions were something worth discussing and
voting on and we got through more in one night than on the last 3
years combined. Sensible discussion ensued on some topics and we even
had cross chamber agreement on three issues including the future of
the GP practice in Limehouse and the dangerous crossing on Mile End
Road.

It is unfortunate that Labour did not realise the importance of
motions sooner, rather than spending their time trying to stop them
and attacking members of the public up until last night.

Labour electioneering also picked up pace as they asked themselves
questions about freezing council tax next year, congratulated
themselves on a plan to build 17 (yes, just 17) new council houses,
and there were even some wannabe Labour council candidates in the
public gallery - I assume they had been given maps to find the town
hall on their first visit.

However, a heated debate on the future of ESOL classes at Tower
Hamlets College failed to win Labour over as they focused on blaming
everyone but themselves for the cuts and job losses.

Also at the meeting, Kevan Collins was confirmed as the new Chief
Executive.

All in all, the meeting gave us a preview of how Labour would behave
If they were in office 2010-2014. Three and a half years of cuts,
arguments, divisions and contempt toward the electorate, followed by 6
months of false promises and cynical ploys to win votes again.