Rebel Greens claim bid to “oust” council leader “just democracy”
Rebel Greens have rubbished claims they are trying to overthrow council leader Jason Kitcat – adding a planned rule change was “just democracy”.
The aim is to give every member of the local party one vote – and therefore make it difficult for Coun Kitcat to retain his position for the third year running.
One senior party figure described the bid, which is being backed by serving councillors Alex Phillips and Mike Jones, as “extremely destructive and not good for the city”.
Coun Phillips was asked to comment on the story yesterday but did not respond.
After it appeared on thelatest.co.uk, she commented: “I skimmed the article but the way it has been framed is rubbish. This is about getting rid of an electoral college and that is all.”
David Walker, an active party member said on Twitter: “Motions and elections happen regularly in the party. It’s just democracy.”
He added: “I applaud the fantastic work they [the Green council] has done in a short time while suffering government austerity backed by Labour.
“The Green Party prefers all elections to be contested. We’re different to other parties. It may be confusing to those looking in.”
Since 2010, the convenor of the Green group has been chosen through an electoral college with half the votes coming from serving councillors and the rest from party members.
Last year, a group of Green councillors – who labelled themselves the “watermelons” to underline their commitment to socialism – failed in a bid to convince the then deputy council leader Phelim MacCafferty to stand against Coun Kitcat in the party’s annual elections.
When he did not, the rebels tried to convince as many as possible to vote for RON – reopen nominations.
Coun Kitcat retained the position but only with the support of 12 out of 23 Green councillors.
Since then it is understood Coun Kitcat’s position within his own group has been strengthened with the numbers of “watermelons” declining.
The motion is set to be presented to an extraordinary party meeting on February 25.
Party sources said the proposal, which needs two-thirds support to be enacted, was unlikely to be passed as members rally around Coun Kitcat.
It is also not clear if the motion would affect the election process for 2014/15 as it is already underway.
