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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published:5 December 2008

Lib Dem rebel forces party to accept Labour amendment

Town Hall ‘united’ as balance of power shifts in
historic credit crunch vote

REBEL Lib Dem councillor Andrew Cornwell last night (Thursday) forced a historic show of council unity in the face of the credit crunch.
Freed from the restraints of being a member of the Town Hall executive, former finance chief Cllr Cornwell voted with Labour and took on his own party on four motions.
The most significant motion forced through a £5.25million increase in funding to help residents through the economic crisis.
This includes an extra £250,000 for the credit union and a £5million rescue package for people at risk of losing their homes.
In an unprecedented act, the Lib Dems were forced to accept Labour’s amendment on their own Ten Point credit crunch package.
The ammendment calls on the council to increase the money it will put into a package of measures to beat the credit crunch, including grants for school uniforms and extra funding for the credit union and citizens advice services.
Cllr Cornwell told last night’s full council meeting: “One of the reasons I find it easier to be a critic of Lib Dem leader Cllr James Kempton than a friend is his ability to rewrite history... His proposals had to be dragged out of him after I criticised him publicly.”
Cllr Cornwell said the council leader’s Ten Point plan was more like a three point plan after “repackaging and scraping the barrel”, which would have “impressed” even Alistair Campbell .
Cllr Cornwell added: “We can do much better than this... Cllr Kempton is quite right to be worried about his job security.”
Cllr Kempton accused Labour’s amendments of “lacking imagination” but said his own plans were “a down payment on our commitment to the people of Islington”.
New Lib Dem finance chief Cllr John Gilbert said: “The proposal to earmark £5million is not one I’m going to take lightly.
“I don’t intend to begin my career emulating Northern Rock.”
Labour shadow finance chief Cllr Richard Greening said: “People have been hit hard. It’s vital to deliver a package of measures to help with this.
“We now have a large amount [of money] sitting in the bank. It’s public money and should be used for the benefit of the public.”
Cllr Cornwell also voted with Labour on calling for a dispersal zone in Market Road on a list of constitutional amendments, and in a motion criticising the leadership for cancelling the Islington Today debate.

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