Labour asks Green MP to get her councillors to stop their infighting for the good of the city.
The intervention follows news that once again the leadership of Green Convenor Cllr Jason Kitcat is coming under attack from colleagues within the Green group on the city council.
Leader of the Labour Group on the city council Cllr Warren Morgan said: “It is time Caroline Lucas said where she stands on how this council is being run. Jason Kitcat has lost a vote of no confidence and now seems set to face yet another coup attempt from within the Green Group.”
He continued: “Does she think it is a responsible way for her party to run the city she represents? Whose side is she on? What is her involvement in this latest plot?
“She spent most of last year distancing herself from the Council leadership – the public has no idea what her views are on many important local issues. She initially backed Kitkat’s call for a Council Tax hike of nearly 5% – now she has seen for herself how unpopular that is, does she now think it is time to ditch him as part of her increasingly desperate attempt to cling onto her seat in Parliament.
“If she still supports their council tax increase of £6 a month and £900,000 referendum, does she also back risking £38 million on the i360? We can get no clarity from her squabbling Green colleagues on the council, so will she explain to residents what is going on?”
Labour is opposing both the costly referendum on what they consider an unaffordable council tax increase, and the unacceptable risk they claim Greens are taking on the i360 project using taxpayers money.
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, countered and said: “I’ve made my position crystal clear throughout. We’re in this terrible situation because of the Coalition’s callous and counterproductive programme of austerity – a programme Labour say they would stick to when it comes to spending on welfare. People in Brighton and Hove didn’t choose to have the services they rely on threatened as a result of the Government’s savage cuts. It’s disappointing that Labour aren’t focusing more on that, instead of joining forces with the Tories to add to the misery being inflicted on people.
“As MP for Brighton Pavilion, my job is to be on the side of my constituents and stand up for them. Part of that means challenging local politicians of every colour to come clean and put forward constructive solutions for dealing with the terrible situation we’re in. We’ve seen very little of that from Labour.
“I recognise that it’s a tremendously difficult decision that’s been forced on our city, but my postbag is full of letters and emails from people who are facing enormous hardship as a result of the government’s cuts. That’s why I support all those who are saying enough is enough, and would vote in favour of action to protect the vital services people here depend on.”
On I360, she said: “We need to know more about the funding arrangements for I360, and I’ll be scrutinising them when they’re available. This is a great opportunity to regenerate the seafront, boost tourism, and generate jobs, but of course we have to get it right and ensure minimal risk to taxpayers.”
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