This isn't right, surely.

[BlindBoyGrunt]

Well, the problem is, if a budget isn't supported then it's the people that we all represent that pays the price. Someone always pays, and when a budget isn't passed it's the residents. I for one am not interested in dissenting voices, we all have strong principles, it's why we are in politics, but my priority is our residents not principles.

But one dissenting voice and two abstentions mean that the budget is supported so where's the problem?

 

[TheLodger]

But one dissenting voice and two abstentions mean that the budget is supported so where's the problem?

Not in Middlesbrough, if we had 1 dissent and 2 abstentions then the budget falls.

It's just correct that all parties have 3 line whips for very important votes, if you can't support that then maybe it's right that you shouldn't be in the party.

 

[BlindBoyGrunt]

Not in Middlesbrough, if we had 1 dissent and 2 abstentions then the budget falls.

It's just correct that all parties have 3 line whips for very important votes, if you can't support that then maybe it's right that you shouldn't be in the party.

Same in Nottingham?

Edit. It seems Nottingham has 50 Labour councillors and 5 independents.

 

[TheLodger]

Same in Nottingham?

Same in all constituencies.

 

[BlindBoyGrunt]

Same in all constituencies.

So if Nottingham has 50 labour councillors and five independents would they not have a majority if one councillor voted against and two abstained?

 

[TheLodger]

So if Nottingham has 50 labour councillors and five independents would they not have a majority if one councillor voted against and two abstained?

Numbers today are totally different tomorrow. Council budgets aren't games, it's very serious with the most deprived in our towns and cities that pay the highest prices.
The budget must be passed, the consequences to those that need us most, must be taken seriously.

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

Same in all constituencies.

That's not true. They have a majority of 45, it's not Boro. They can handle a dissenting voice, particularly one representing a difficult area of the city where the residents may be more severely affected, which was her point.

 

[JackG]

I don't think the Sherrif left the Party much choice here. The assenting councilors made clear they were unhappy with the budget but would leave themselves open to legal action if they failed to set a legal budget. They therefore applied a 3-line whip. There's little point in having a party system if members can pick and choose whether to take the whip without consequences. As the Sherrif herself said "I went in with my eyes open. When you make a difficult decision there is always a price to pay. I knew there was a risk."