London Assembly Member quits after just 3 days in 'sneaky' move

-
London Assembly Member quits after just 3 days in 'sneaky' move

A Green Party London Assembly Member has quit despite only being confirmed in the role three days ago. Sian Berry, who was first elected to the body in 2016 and is a former mayoral candidate, has made way for Zoë Garbett, the Green pick for the city's highest office this year.

But Ms Berry has been criticised for the move, with some pointing out that she is a parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion at the next election.

Councillor Garbett said: “I am excited to join the Assembly and get to work for Londoners. There is so much to do improve the quality of our lives in London, stand up for people on the margins and hold the Mayor to account.”

READ MORE: How Sadiq Khan came out on top during London mayor election

Green party Mayor of London election candidate Zoe Garbett (second left) at City Hall
Zoë Garbett (second left) ran for mayor this year

Ms Berry, said: "Zoë has shown how much of a difference she will make in City Hall, listening to Londoners and bringing their voices into the political debate. That’s why she needs to be in this job as soon as possible. She is already brilliant councillor and will be a brilliant Assembly Member for Londoners."

She added on X: "I will miss City Hall and the wonderful staff team there, and especially miss the chance to work alongside @ZoeGarbett in the run up to the general election. She will be a superb Assembly Member and I can’t wait to see the impact she will have!

"My work holding a Labour mayor to account means I am ready to do the same with a new prime minister, and I am looking forward to spending even more time in Brighton, listening to what matters to people here. Greens are geared up and a general election is needed right now!

"Tomorrow I’ll be speaking in Parliament about my work to date getting more council homes bought into the supply in London - and what’s needed to make that a Government priority too. But today I’ll mainly be enjoying the Holly Blue butterflies that have hatched all over my garden!"

Backlash to decision

The post was met with some backlash. Seb Barry said: "Weren't you elected last Thursday?" David Morton commented: "I'm a big fan Sian but standing for reelection, winning then resigning after three days looks really poor."

@Shales_Moor posted: "I'm a Green Party supporter but this stinks. Either you're serious about standing as a councillor or you're not. Your colleague is either standing for mayor or as a councillor - which one?

"The people of London rejected her for mayor. Extremely disappointed - I thought GP better." Pete Crockett said: "Your behaviour in this instance does you no credit."

@PeechSlixx posted: "This seems incredibly calculated, under hand and sneaky. I was a MASSIVE green supporter but now just seems you're sneaky like the rest of them. Ngl so disillusioned right now."

Don't miss out on the biggest stories from across the city. Sign up to MyLondon's The 12 HERE for the 12 biggest stories each day.

Adblock test (Why?)



(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Travel chaos inbound as Trams partly closed for 14 days in a row and sections of Overground shut for 8 days

-
Image
Londoners are preparing for two significant closures of parts of the capital's transport network in the coming weeks. Transport for London's (TfL) has said that its Tram network will be partly shut for 14 days in a row between February 10 and 23. The authority's calendar has also denoted that sections of the Overground will be shut for eight days. Between Saturday, Febraury 10, and Friday, February 23, there will be no Tram service between Reeves Corner and Sandilands. Bosses say a replacement bus service - the TL1 - will operate. READ MORE: HS2 won't start tunnelling to Euston for years as bosses wait for funding Sections of the London Overground will be closed for eight days (Image: Peter Zelei/Getty) Meanwhile, closures on the Overground will vary. Here is a full breakdown of what is planned: On February 3 and 4, there will be no service between Willesden Junction and Stratford. Replacement buses operate between Willesden Junction and Camden R...
« Blog »

Father of bullied Barnet girl, 14, says he's a 'victim of a failing system' after her suicide

-
Image
The father of a bullied North London schoolgirl said he is a 'victim of a failing system' following her suicide. Mia Janin, 14, took her own life after receiving a torrent of horrendous messages on social media. The Year 10 pupil at the Jewish Free School (JFS) in Kenton in Harrow, North West London was found dead at her family home in Barnet on March 12, 2021. At an inquest into her death, North London area coroner Tony Murphy concluded that Mia, 14, 'took her life while still a child and while still in the process of maturing into adulthood', at Barnet Coroner's Court on Friday. Mia's father, Mariano Janin, paid tribute to his daughter, saying: "She was fantastic, she was very bubbly, good sense of humour, she was beautiful, she was very kind, very creative." Mr Murphy, whose wife Marisa has since died as well, said Mia was last seen alive at about 10pm on March 11 2021, when she said good night to her parents in their family home. READ MORE...
« Blog »

Furious Sutton SEND parents slam 'disrespect' from council and announce end to 10-year partnership

-
Image
A forum made up of parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities has cut ties with Sutton Council, accusing the authority of a lack of trust and not working effectively with them. Sutton’s Parents and Carer Forum (SPCF), which has advised the council and helped shape SEND policy for around 10 years, cites ‘disrespect’ shown to them by Sutton Council as one of their reasons for deciding to cease contact with them as of March 3 this year. This decision could leave Sutton Council able to make SEND related decisions without any oversight or input from the parents they impact, however the council says it's looking into finding a new independent group to fill the void. SPCF is an Ofsted and Department for Education recognised body that has represented the borough’s SEND families for the last decade. According to their post, published on X last Friday: “The role of the parent carers on the Steering Group is to lead this work and listen to the views and...
« Blog »