Forum Topic

Cllr Parizotto resigns

So the factions in Labour are already splitting the party and they aren’t even a government!  They are just as dysfunctional as the Tories, maybe worse. People really can’t remember the utter shambles the Brown administration was.I wonder how Ms Parizotto will vote in the next elections?

Simon Hayes ● 212d15 Comments

Oh really? I'm sick to the back teeth of all of them.

Keith Iddon ● 197d

I think that you are oversimplifying the duties that have been placed upon local councils.  I look forward to a Labour government after years of the useless Tories.

Jonathan Palmer-Wright ● 197d

I’m not affiliated with any political party but to devolve more powers to local authorities, which is one of Labour’s policies, won’t benefit anyone other than those the ruling clique favour. That applies to Labour, Tory or LibDem.As you say, it’s already difficult to engage with councils on any number of issues so to give them more powers will only go one way for taxpayers. Ealing has done away with ward forums and other mechanisms to question councillors.Oh, and I read Private Eye and occasionally contribute to that esteemed organ. In the absence of any credible local press it’s often the only way to get even a hint of what goes on in our names.

Simon Hayes ● 211d

I was agreeing with your post until I got to the last sentence, when it comes to running councils I'd say there's not much to choose between the parties. Of course it should be civic duty first and foremost, and that was always the way. Unfortunately once money rears its ugly head then it is the first casualty in local politics. You would be right to question the motives and behaviour of some of the current bunch, just read Private Eye now and again. But to be fair lots of these things are up to us, we need to challenge where necessary, ask the awkward questions, attend local meetings like the Area Forums and refuse to be fobbed off. I have noticed that some councillors go remarkably quiet when you challenge some of their more bizarre comments, and even when faced with evidence they are wrong via an FoI submission they simply clam up.

Vanessa Smith ● 211d

It should always be civic duty first. And political affiliation should not trump the needs or wants of the majority of people represented, but that’s all too often forgotten.Most people just want their bins emptied on time, decent statutory services and to be able to go about their business unhindered. Unfortunately there are a lot of local level politicians engaged in grandstanding and meaningless gestures, always dressed up with unsupported or fabricated rhetoric. Then when things go wrong it’s always someone else’s fault. Just fancy that!It will get worse if Labour get into government and more power is devolved to councils. There are very few that have shown themselves to be well-run, objective and engaged.

Simon Hayes ● 211d

I fully respect her resigning on a principle or a belief. But should you stay and fight where there is an issue within?Is that really a local issue? But there is a degree of naivety. Did she not know what has been dogging the Labour Party for most of her years?  Was it simply a stepping stone into politics? An easy route for an activist.To her credit she was open and honest and clear about her views and activity which is like several other councillors who are not and won't come clean on various activist memberships.Wisdom comes only with age and experience. Being new to this country and starting at the bottom is nothing new. The same for all my descendants, for a great many indigenous to these Islands, and the oppression of the peasants of this very island.  It's been a struggle for generation after generation for the vast majority.And in the modern era it is this country that has gone the extra mile to eradicate the wrongs and barriers. Which is often only really apparent if you are fortunate enough to travel and work abroad. But he resignation does reflect the contradictions of the Labour Party and probably other parties on wider issues.  Focus on naval gazing issues which are largely personal to individuals prevail and yet so do double standards.At local council level it really is about the smooth running and maintenance of the nuts and bolts of the town and making it a decent place to live and work in and for it to function for the benefit of such.Much of that is failing and needs fixing first.One wonders if sole political or ethnical objectives and career ambitions are suitable for being a councillor or should it be Civic Duty first and a speciality alongside or second ?

Raymond Havelock ● 211d

I too struggled with this word soup and don't agree with her decision to take a stand on this issue. However, the involvement of young people like her in democracy at a local level is absolutely critical. She clearly brought an energy and passion to the role which is lacking in many other councillors mentioning no names Balraj Sarai. I am very glad she is continuing to be a councillor and it will be a benefit to her constituents.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 211d

" I find my values and my work on racial justice, migrants rights, allyship with queer and trans people, decolonisation and global liberation movements of oppressed people unaligned with the Party"Her departure makes Labour a slightly more attractive proposition in  my view.  Local politicians should focus on local issues.

Andy Riley ● 211d

No of course not, like the rest of the parasites running Hounslow shes not going to give up the 15K plus she gets for a part time job.  Nor is there any way shes going to risk it by letting the local people decide.Its a pity her high principled stand on the middle east does not extend to rooting out the alleged corruption in this Labour Council.

Robert Ayres ● 212d

As I said at the start, every party has divisions. The Tories were split over Europe for years, as we all know.Starmer’s problem is he wants to distance himself from the anti-semitism that dogged his predecessor, but there is clearly a sizeable tranche of the party openly hostile to Israel. How they reconcile their stance with the inevitable buttering up of Israel by any potential labour government.

Simon Hayes ● 212d

Pragmatism is something you really have to practice where politics is concerned, the system couldn't work without it, but for many people there is always a red line that they cannot cross. Keir Starmer older and possibly wiser knows that, and it's something we all learn as we gain experience and become more cynical. But to be fair you could hardly find any political party that hasn't got differences of opinion - looked at the Tories recently have you? Perhaps a viewing of Laura Kuenssberg's 'State of Chaos' would prove interesting. But I still think given this awful Labour council, to take this stand has taken considerable guts.

Vanessa Smith ● 212d

Yes, she stood up for what she believes in but it’s symptomatic of how Labour politics works. What are the likes of this councillor going to do if Starmer becomes Prime Minister and has to put pragmatic politics above such sensibilities? The cracks will widen until the edifice falls apart. And that’s before you get into other areas like the environment, where ideology will founder on the practicality of economic growth. Though the have got the genius Ed Miliband on that portfolio.I wonder what spin Lambert will put on this in his blog?

Simon Hayes ● 212d

I think whatever your personal view of this ongoing trouble between Israel and Hammas - it is for some a question of principle and belief. And if this councillor feels that her personal beliefs are at odds with the policies of the Labour Party then she is to be congratulated for taking a stand. It's never an easy thing to do, but does give you some hope that there are people on Hounslow council who have backbones and integrity rather than the normal herd, who appear never to have had a original thought and don't understand or care what they are voting for half the time.

Vanessa Smith ● 212d

Lara is now an Independent so continuing as Councillor.

Anne England ● 212d

Does that mean she has also resigned from the Council ?

Pat Kingham ● 212d