No.10 yesterday - Hounslow today
From Brentford TV Debate not Hate:When Council Leader Steve Curran defended himself over hospitality on Thursday, not one of his fellow councillors present said a word on the matter, one way or the other. Time was running short, certainly. But it would only have taken a moment to declare: "I agree with Steve." Nobody did. Silence. They moved on.While Cllr Curran said he felt "comfortable" with it, some Borough councillors are distinctly "uncomfortable" that property developers and suchlike provide tickets and associated amenities at Lord's and Twickenham and pay for flights and hotels. Yes, personal relationships probably come with the job of overseeing Planning and Regeneration in the Borough. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing or breach of the Code of Conduct but where would Cllr Curran draw the line? Is it literally the Martini defence: "Any time, any place, anywhere"?What if a developer wished to show him new projects in, say, Sydney or San Francisco or Tokyo – would it be acceptable to fly to such destinations, perhaps first-class or by private jet, with hotels and the likely wining and dining? The trip might be informative. If declared, it would not breach the Code of Conduct. But would it be a good idea?It is hard to imagine Cllr Katherine Dunne swapping her Brompton bike for such a freebie, or almost any non-essential freebie. Ditto with some others present at the Isleworth & Brentford Forum, and with other members in the broader Labour Group across the Borough. Cllr Tony Louki has made his position clear, telling the Homebase/Tesco developer Berkeley in 2020: "You think this is a done deal just because you speak to Cllr Curran…You've gone ahead with what you've discussed down in Cannes or wherever else you do your deals round the back with. I'm not saying you've done the deal particularly anything nefarious but the discussions prior to come to this…”Accepting hospitality is a controversial area for any politician. Cllr Curran still does not state the value of the hospitality he's received, unlike others. To some, it isn't just about strict adherence to the Code of Conduct. It's about appearance, whether it mirrors the mood of voters especially when the Council is repeatedly promoting its war against poverty and unemployment in the area.This has not gone away. It will be remain an issue especially when Cllr Curran stands for the Leadership again in May, as he is expected to do. With the elections over, his colleagues will be able to say what they really think.Scroll for linked stories.Fair comment welcome. If you post defamatory comments, you must take personal responsibility for any consequences.
Vanessa Smith ● 1684d0 Comments