“can one ELECTED councillor put his/her name forward to say they are against the death penalty and agree with the position the council,that they represent,has ?
it is all behind closed doors.
come on saint peter.........open debate or what !!!!”

“LABOUR AT ITS BIG BULLY BROTHER STATUS !how dare someone have an opinion.tut tut.those naughty ELECTED councilors,have an opinion?oh no! should be sent to a gulag until they repent their sins .i hope they don`t comment on eating meat,free range eggs,state of council buildings and,heaven forbid one of them saying red is not their favourite color !looks like the ELECTED mayors` commitment to open government hit the rocks a bit quick.
bring it on sir peter, any comments ?
will not hold my breath!
any chance to see the minutes of the meeting?maybe not.then again....stalin might have taken the notes .”

“"Speaking to the Mercury about reinstating the death penalty in August, Councillor Potter said: "Bring it on. Give these murderers the option of the noose, the electric chair or lethal injection"

Now this is why a labour councillor should be "whipped", allowing personal freedom of choice”

“This story goes to show that there is NO DEMOCRACY WHATSOEVER on Leicester City Council's Labour Group. Capital punishment is given a free vote in parliament so why do LCC take the stance that everyone in the Labour Group must agree with their stance on capital punishment regardless of an individual's opinion.”

“There seems to be a distinct lack of common-sense here; a quick wigging in the Heads Study about keeping personal views to themselves - job done. Instead, a great deal of dirty linen has been washed in Public that demonstates the lack vision by the Leadership and clearly demonstrates the power held by the Thought Police! Perhaps the two Councillors wouldn't have attracted so much opprobium if they admitted that Gordon Brown bankrupted the Country!”

“Views on capital punishment are normally left up to the individual, irrespective of what a particular parties line may be.
There are many occassions over the years where members of various parties have expressed opinions that are contrary to their parties official line, surely this is part of a healthy democratic process.


by PlanetJane
"I hope the local Labour Party are reviewing Ms Potter's status as Labour Whip. She really shouldn't be holding that position when she holds views that are counter to her party's."

I don't recall segregation or the establishment of colonies populated soley along racial/ethnic lines being part of official labour policy either..........but the labour politician that held those views seems to have gone from strength to strength over the years where such comments would have effectively ended many other politicians careers!”

“I am sure many voted for these two purely because they were labour and that means a certain stance on issues. If they want to be independent then that's what they should stand as. They might do well but you can't have it both ways.”

“I did not think Labour whipped on Capital Punishment as it is normally a free vote when in Parliament!

But on the wider point why can individuals have their own personal views. You are not telling me Jane that every member of the Labour Party agrees with everything in the Labour manifesto, even those councillors and MP's. If you look at the Labour Party clause 4 was written into the Labour Party Consitition but people spoke against it and it was finally removed. The way you talk the first time Tony Blair disagreed with it by the sound of it he should of been discplined!

Now I agree that with party members may disapprove but to discipline them seems a bit much for something they said that is not illegal!

If a Tory signed a petition asking for all serices industries to be nationalised they may get laughed out at but not chucked out of the party. As there are many Tories who disagree with Rail Privitisation.”

“I don't understand why these two councillors have been censured. Whenever capital punishment is debated in parliament MPs are given a free vote. If that is good enough for MPs it should also be good enough for other politicians, including local councillors.

That said, I am totally opposed to capital punishment. As I've said before it has no place in a civilised society, but I would defend the right of anyone to state their views without censure.”

“Quote "However, a party colleague of Coun Potter, who asked not to be named, said the decision was "unfair.............If she'd rebelled against a party policy then that'd be a different matter and it'd be right to discipline her............ But this is an issue which the city council has no power over whatsoever.........It makes no difference what councillors think about it. It was their own personal viewpoint and I think that was clear."

Firstly, don't be a coward and ask not to be named. Name yourself Councillor Potter's colleague. Secondly, Potter DID rebel against party policy. The Labour Party does not support capital punishment. Thirdly, this IS an issue which the council has power over, clearly it is, because they've been able to discipline these two. So either shut up Councillor Potter's colleague or name yourself and put yourself forward for a debate about this !

Now then, I see the usual suspects are coming out here and commenting about free speech. Mr Bayford, we all know your history and I'm sure you have an axe to grind when it comes to "free speech" but consider (and you depreg and robertlaw and any others who trot out the "free speech" mantra), when you join a Political party you are agreeing to abide by the rules of that party. Some of those rules are written into its constitution, some of them are unwritten but still, well understood. If you decide to go around shouting about your personal views, views which are contrary to the party you have chosen to join, then you should expect your colleagues to disapprove. You may also expect to be admonished in certain circumstances.

This isn't about free speech. This is about loyalty and belief. If a Tory party member started spouting off about nationalisation and signed a petition to have all of our service industries nationalised, then do you honestly think the Tories would stand by an accept that? OF COURSE NOT ! In fact, the Tories take a much harder line that Labour and would probably, simply chuck the Politician out of the party. Wouldn't they Mr Bayford, former Conservative Councillor?

I hope the local Labour Party are reviewing Ms Potter's status as Labour Whip. She really shouldn't be holding that position when she holds views that are counter to her party's.

You see, free speech is fine. Speak out by all means. But you have to accept the consequences of what you say. There are always consequences, especially when you are a Politician.

Oh dear, I fear all the right wing idiots (my view, I'm free to say it) are going to be spouting off on here now. Some of them appear to be Labour Party members. How strange.”