"It takes it out of the hands of the elected leader, it takes it out of the hands of non-elected members, it puts it in the hands of the chairman of the council."
"I've never seen a chairman yet go against their political party in a council meeting, in a chamber, anywhere. So don't give me that rubbish."
"This is the point of common sense. It's not about the colour of your skin, your sexuality, who you love, it's not about any of that. It's about whether you can do the job."
Reform UK-led Warwickshire County Council removed the chief executive's authority to decide which flags are flown outside Shire Hall following a dispute over flying a Progress Pride Flag during Pride Month. Councillor George Finch requested the flag's removal upon his election as leader; chief executive Monica Fogarty refused. The council cabinet voted to transfer flag-decision power to council chairman Edward Harris. Opposition figures criticised the move's claimed neutrality, arguing chairmen typically follow party positions. Green group leaders sought reassurance that staff and visitors would not be judged on sexuality. Finch framed the change as about common sense, unity and job competence.
Read at www.bbc.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]