Complaint over Reform councillor's record since defection
Thomas Kerr, defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK earlier this year.
At the meeting of the full council today, Green councillor, Jon Molyneux, took an opportunity to highlight councillor Kerr's record since he made the switch.
Councillor Kerr defended his record in representing his Shettleston ward.
Molyneux raised a point of order at the start of the meeting.
He said: 'It has been six months since Thomas Kerr defected to Reform.'
He added in that time, 'He hasn't raised a question, hasn't spoken in a debate or produced a budget proposal'.
READ NEXT:Bus boss tells MSP to 'get on his bike and leave transport to the adults'
READ NEXT: Patrick Harvie MSP calls for publicly owned bus firm in Glasgow
Molyneux asked if this was acceptable under the Local Government Act rules on councillors' attendance requirements.
A council official said that the Act refers to attendance rather than participation.
Councillor Kerr said: "I work day in day out for the people of Shettleston, and will continue to do so.
'It'll be my community who will judge my efforts, not political opponents.
'Reform's popularity is growing and the City Chambers establishment better get used to it."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
27 minutes ago
- Leader Live
TfL set to regulate pedicabs in London for the first time amid safety concerns
The consultation, carried out by Transport for London (TfL) found that out of nearly 7,700 respondents, 75% currently felt unsafe while using a pedicab in the capital. The rickshaws, common sights in London's main tourist destinations, are not currently regulated. Nearly all (97%) of participants backed mandatory insurance for pedicab operators, 95% support the introduction of criminal background checks for drivers, and 85% believe that pedicab fares are too expensive. Draft policy proposals include a TfL licensing system, along the same lines as that currently in place for London taxi drivers, with requirements including a minimum age of 18, a UK or EEA-valid drivers' licence, and English language skills. TfL are also considering the introduction of insurance requirements, alongside safety equipment mandates. The proposals could come into force from 2026 – but will become more detailed over the coming months, and are subject to a second consultation at the end of the year. The use of music by pedicab drivers sparked particular frustration among the survey's respondents – including over 2,400 comments, double the number relating to any other topic. 96% of participants were in favour of volume limitations on music and other audio from pedicabs, and 78% believe these controls should be in place 'all the time'. Helen Chapman, TfL's director of Licensing & Regulation, said: 'Pedicabs can provide a unique and green way to see the capital. 'However, they have an impact on the safety of the road network and are currently unregulated. 'We look forward to working with the pedicab industry to ensure it is run fairly and safely and continues to be a sustainable mode of transport.' The move comes in the wake of parliamentary calls for regulation last year – which culminated in the Pedicabs (London) Act, granting TfL the statutory powers necessary to go through with the licensing system. The transport authority proposes to take the lead on enforcement of any new regulations themselves, with all expenses recouped through the fees for pedicab licences. In a campaign response to the survey, the London Pedicab Welfare Association (LPWA) said: 'While the intention behind this requirement is to ensure the safety of passengers and regulate the industry, it has created challenges for pedicab drivers who do not possess a driving licence.' The LPWA instead proposed alternatives, including the introduction of a theory test for drivers to obtain their licence. Ros Morgan, chief executive at the Heart of London Business Alliance, welcomed the proposals, saying: 'For far too long, members of the public have been at the mercy of rogue operators who do nothing to enhance the reputation of the West End. 'Implementation of the scheme could not come soon enough.'
Evening Standard
an hour ago
- Evening Standard
Keir Starmer's welfare vote nightmare hides a bigger problem: Britain just can't go on like this
And many of the rebels don't have much to lose; they're more scared of their constituents and of Reform snapping at their heels than of Morgan McSweeney. Compare and contrast with the situation of Tony Blair in 1997 when it was all glad confident morning. He wasn't any more keen on getting to grips with individual backbenchers than Sir Keir is and was notorious for his proclivity for sofa government, but his administration had an undeniable vim and sense of direction; not least thanks to Alistair Campbell and Peter Mandelson. Sir Keir lacks almost every attribute of Tony Blair, other than them both being lawyers.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
PM in talks with Labour rebels over DWP benefit cuts
Keir Starmer confirmed today the Government is locked in talks with rebellious backbenchers over welfare reforms. Here The Mirror looks at the PM's immediate options Keir Starmer confirmed today the Government is locked in talks with rebellious backbenchers over welfare reforms. In a Commons update on Thursday, the PM also addressed the growing rebellion and hinted at possible concessions in the coming days. He said he and his team "want to get this right". The PM said benefits claimants "are failed every single day" by a "broken system". Mr Starmer told MPs: "On social security, I recognise there is a consensus across the House on the urgent need for reform of our welfare system, because the British people deserve protection and dignity when they are unable to work and supported to work when they can. "At the moment, they are failed every single day by the broken system created by the Conservatives, which achieves neither.I know colleagues across the House are eager to start fixing that, and so am I, and that all colleagues want to get this right, and so do I. We want to see reform implemented with Labour values of fairness. That conversation will continue in the coming days, so we can begin making change together on Tuesday." But with 126 Labour MPs signing an amendment that could torpedo the plan, the Government could face an embarrassing defeat if it goes ahead. Here The Mirror looks at the PM's immediate options. Press ahead with vote Keir Starmer could decide to press ahead with the vote even if concessions aren't reached. This would be perhaps the nuclear option. With over 120 Labour MPs now opposed to the plans, rebels have the numbers to wipe-out the government's majority and deliver a humiliating defeat. And it is likely there are many more backbenchers - possibly frontbenchers - who are opposed to the plans but have not said so publicly yet. A defeat on this scale - overturning the government's huge majority - would leave the government's welfare plans in tatters. It would also leave the Chancellor Rachel Reeves with a £5billion black hole in her plans. Concessions to rebels The most likely scenario is that Keir Starmer will thrash out concessions with rebels over the coming hours and days in an attempt to salvage the reforms. Under existing plans the eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be restricted. This is where most of the £5billion savings are being made. The benefit is paid to people both in and out of work and helps with daily tasks due to a long-term physical or mental health condition. Eligibility is calculated using a points-based system, based on how difficult someone finds it to perform tasks like washing themselves and getting dressed. But from the end of 2026 people would need to score a minimum of four points in at least one daily activity to qualify under the plans. Needing help to get in or out of the shower, or supervision to use the toilet are measures that don't meet this threshold. There have been suggestions this could be tweaked so people would need to score three points instead to make the new system slightly more generous. The Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests this could increase eligibility by 190,000 - at a cost of £0.8 billion. But even in this scenario it is extremely unlikely to satisfy all the rebels. There is a bloc of rebels opposed to the principle of taking away disability and sickness benefits full stop and will still vote against the proposals. Delay the vote - or pull the reforms If no concessions are reached, Mr Starmer may feel he has no other option but to delay the vote on Tuesday. This would allow time to speak to rebels and reach a compromise over the summer months, before a vote after the summer recess. It would be a screeching U-turn and politically messy. Over the last 24 hours both Mr Starmer and the Deputy PM Angela Rayner have insisted the vote will go ahead - a line repeated by No10 and a series of ministers. But it would mean avoiding a Commons defeat on one of the government's flagship policies almost a year to the date Labour won a historic victory at the general election. And if the rebels are not won over, pulling the reforms completely could also be on the cards.
