Green-Labour election pact

11.59.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Apr 2008

Carl Mayhew

Commenting on the Green-Labour election pact in London, Liberal Democrat Councillor, Carl Mayhew says the issue is important for Norwich.

"Earlier this month the Green Party formally agreed an election pact with Labour. The alliance between Sian Berry and Ken Livingstone means that the Green Party has effectively singed away its right to be considered as an independent political entity in London

"This issue is important for Norwich for two reasons: Firstly, the Labour-Green pact has been publicly supported by prominent Norwich Green Councillor Rupert Read, and secondly it highlights a worrying trend in Labour-Green relations in Norwich.

"Two years ago, the Greens signed a "memorandum of understanding" with Labour. Since then the Greens have failed to be an effective opposition to Labour on the City Council. This culminated in their continued support for Labour's financial handling of the council. Expert reports form the independent Audit Commission and from financial experts PricewaterhouseCoopers have criticised Labour's handling of city hall finances, but we have heard barely a whisper form the Greens.

"It is essential for democracy that we have effective opposition parties and they become even more important when clear policy failures are taking place and taxpayers are not getting value for money.

"Constructive and engaged cooperation between parties should be encouraged and post-election coalitions are, frequently, inevitable. However, the current Green-Labour pact seems more than this."