Amidst the official `crowning' of Paul Dennett as Salford City Mayor at today's full Council meeting, the Salford Labour Party is, yet again, at war with itself following an email sent to members by Councillor Howard Balkind.
The Salford Star understands that within the Labour Group this week, there was an election for chair between Councillor Balkind and John Walsh, which Walsh won. Balkind reckoned he could unite the splits in the Party, and was furious at the result, as Walsh was, apparently, the person who badly handled the disciplining of Councillor Paul Wilson last year (see here), and the bullying allegations by Councillor Neil Blower (see here), who subsequently resigned from the Party.
"The way Walsh dealt with Paul Wilson last year was diabolical, a kangaroo court, and a lot of us feel that it was to make sure he had no chance of fighting a proper campaign for the Labour Party mayoral nomination" one Party insider told the Salford Star last night "Also, the way Walsh dealt with Neil Blower was the reason he walked away from the Party."
Apparently, Councillor Balkind sent an email to Labour Group members following the decision to elect Walsh as chair, setting out the position, stating that the Salford Labour Party is split down the middle and now has no chance of moving forward.
Following the email, the Party insider said "The shit has hit the fan because Paul Dennett is up in arms and Balkind has been called to appear in front of the chief whip..."
Under the previous Salford City Mayor, Ian Stewart, other Labour Party insiders told the Salford Star that the actions against councillors were an attempt "to crush any opposition to him". Now, with Paul Dennett in the job for less than a fortnight, things don't appear to have changed.
Following the Paul Wilson debacle, when he had the whip removed but was subsequently cleared on appeal by the Labour Party Regional Board, the Salford Labour Party was ordered to have, what the panel called a "health check" by the Local Government Association...
"There was supposed to be an external investigation into the Party but that seems to have been shoved under the table" said the Labour Party source "Some are now asking what happened to that investigation and are not getting any answers."
This week sees the 50th anniversary of the start of Chairman Mao's vicious purge of opponents, known as the Cultural Revolution. Many in Salford Labour Party are now wondering what lessons have been learnt...'
• Councillor Balkind couldn't be contacted for a comment.
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