Labour Exposed: "Do We Want To Get Our Amendment Through?" - Says Labour Councillor

10.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 24th Feb 2005

Southwark Liberal Democrat Group has hit out at the Labour Group after seeing an email which shows Labour did not want their budget to get passed.

The Lib Dems have been shown an exchange between Cllr Pearce, Shadow Resources member, and her Shadow Executive colleagues. In the email, Cllr Pearce asks, "Do we want our amendment to get through?" and goes on to say it would be "a blessing" if the Tories vote against the Labour budget.

Since no party group has an overall majority on Southwark Council it is feasible that the Labour group could get a budget through the chamber and look to take control of the council.

Councillor Lorraine Zuleta, Executive member for Resources, said: "This is shocking stuff from Labour. Labour love to carp from the sidelines and tell us they would do better given half a chance. Yet here is clear evidence that Labour are running scared from the possibility of ruling the council and have no intention of taking responsibility.

"There was absolutely no point in Labour putting forward a budget they didn't want to see passed. The whole thing was a farce."