Green councillors are trying to oust the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council Jason Kitcat, according to the Latest website.
A year after failing to replace Councillor Kitcat, some members want to change the rules to stop the council leader winning a third term as leader – or convenor – of the Green group.
Latest reported that Councillor Alex Phillips and Councillor Mike Jones were backing the move which was described by one senior party figure as “extremely destructive and not good for the city”.
Opposition parties called it yet more proof that the Greens, who as a party are not whipped, were too divided to run the council.
Green Party insiders dismissed the coup as a “rearguard action” from a small group of disgruntled individuals adding that it was “unlikely” that the motion would get the required support required.
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, wanted a change of leadership.
But they were unable to convince the then deputy council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty to stand against Councillor Kitcat in the party’s annual elections.
They then tried to convince as many as possible to vote for RON – reopen nominations.
Councillor Kitcat kept his job with the support of 12 out of 23 Green councillors.
With the internal election process already under way for 2014-15, a motion is expected to be presented to an extraordinary party meeting on Tuesday 25 February.
It calls for all party members locally to have an equal say in electing the leader of the Green group on the council.
Conceivably, this could mean that its convenor – and therefore de facto council leader – does not have the support of his or her council colleagues.
It is understood that party secretary Louisa Greenbaum has threatened to resign over the issue.
One senior party member said: “The rebels cannot win within the group so now they are trying to change the rules entirely.
“It’s vindictive and shows they are hell-bent on deposing Kitcat.”
Party sources said that the motion, which needs two thirds support to be enacted, was unlikely to be passed as members rallied around Councillor Kitcat.
It is also not clear if the motion could be enacted to affect the current election process.
Labour group leader Warren Morgan said: “The week before the council budget vote on vital local services and two weeks before a vote on loaning £38 million to the i360 project, the Greens should be focused on the big decisions involved in running the city.
“But yet again they are fighting like rats in a sack on a ship that is rapidly sinking.
“Residents have had enough of their ceaseless spinning and squabbling. They should all do the decent thing and resign.”
Conservative group leader Geoffrey Theobald said: “How can the Greens focus on the demanding day to day business of running a large city when they are continually preoccupied with their own internal party politics? They are not a cohesive group.”
A local Green Party spokesman said: “We are a democratic political party shaped by all our membership, not just a select few at the top.
“This includes members developing the constitution and electing key party roles.
“Any member can put a motion forward at a party meeting for other members to debate and decide on.
“A number of agenda items, including this motion, will be discussed at a party meeting later this month.”
Say what you will about Jason Kitcat, but God help us all if any of the extreme hard-Left Marxists in the Green Party (Alex Phillips, Ben Duncan or Phelim ‘Dirty Boy’ McCafferty) replace him.
Living in Brighton will be like living in 1970’s East Germany if any of these Marxists loons replace Kitcat
Say what you will about Jason Kitcat, but God help us all if any of the extreme hard-Left Marxists in the Green Party (Alex Phillips, Ben Duncan or Phelim ‘Dirty Boy’ McCafferty) replace him.
Living in Brighton will be like living in 1970’s East Germany if any of these Marxists loons replace Kitcat
Not clear from the above which side Green Party Secretary Louisa Greenbaum is on. Would like to know.
The rebel faction should be concentrating all their energies on the manifesto. Cllr Janio (Tory) commented at the last full council that the Greens had done what elected to do: follow their manifesto.
If the rebels cannot get their own way, it is because it is not in the manifesto and they were equally unpersuasive in getting the manifesto written their foot-stampingly immature way.
They are viciously destroying what they cannot have rather than working on the manifesto for next year’s election to have their say and influence THAT. The Green Party will not survive this power struggle so publicly and snappishly initiated by disgruntled rebels who deserve de-selection in my opinion.
Not clear from the above which side Green Party Secretary Louisa Greenbaum is on. Would like to know.
The rebel faction should be concentrating all their energies on the manifesto. Cllr Janio (Tory) commented at the last full council that the Greens had done what elected to do: follow their manifesto.
If the rebels cannot get their own way, it is because it is not in the manifesto and they were equally unpersuasive in getting the manifesto written their foot-stampingly immature way.
They are viciously destroying what they cannot have rather than working on the manifesto for next year’s election to have their say and influence THAT. The Green Party will not survive this power struggle so publicly and snappishly initiated by disgruntled rebels who deserve de-selection in my opinion.
I think that on the whole, Jason Kitcat is a decent and honourable guy who genuinely wants to do what is best for the people of Brighton.
However, when it comes to the very left wing elements of the Green Party like Alexa Phillips, I have more respect for a bottle of cheap, stinking cooking-oil from Lidls than I do for them
I think that on the whole, Jason Kitcat is a decent and honourable guy who genuinely wants to do what is best for the people of Brighton.
However, when it comes to the very left wing elements of the Green Party like Alexa Phillips, I have more respect for a bottle of cheap, stinking cooking-oil from Lidls than I do for them
Why has everyone got it in for Mr Kitcat? He’s got a lovely smile.
Why has everyone got it in for Mr Kitcat? He’s got a lovely smile.
This article – and the original in Latest – is so pro-Kitcat as to be laughable.
What this must indicate is that the leak comes from him, or ‘friends of’. What on earth are they playing at? If the Greens’ constitution allows a leadership challenge, then it’s up to JK to meet it head-on. That’s hardly outrageous – Labour and Tories have had changes of leadership recently. It happens in politics.
This article – and the original in Latest – is so pro-Kitcat as to be laughable.
What this must indicate is that the leak comes from him, or ‘friends of’. What on earth are they playing at? If the Greens’ constitution allows a leadership challenge, then it’s up to JK to meet it head-on. That’s hardly outrageous – Labour and Tories have had changes of leadership recently. It happens in politics.
We’re so used to the control freakery of Labour and the rabid privatisation dogma from local Tories that we’re shocked when a party proposes a democratic approach to issues affecting residents. Jason has not been the perfect leader (take a look at continuing rubbish situation if you’re not sure what I’m talking about), and there is a good reason for asking people whether they really want to see the suffering further cuts in funding will have to basic services. Hardly a Marxist coup. It’s called democracy!
We’re so used to the control freakery of Labour and the rabid privatisation dogma from local Tories that we’re shocked when a party proposes a democratic approach to issues affecting residents. Jason has not been the perfect leader (take a look at continuing rubbish situation if you’re not sure what I’m talking about), and there is a good reason for asking people whether they really want to see the suffering further cuts in funding will have to basic services. Hardly a Marxist coup. It’s called democracy!
How has Alex Philips managed to not get kicked out of the Green Party and removed from the number two position on their European elections list? Last year she made a fool of herself and all of the Brighton and Hove Green Councillors by tweeting the Labour group leader to offer him the leadership of the council – tweets that he then published. In any other party that would have led to rapid expulsion, but Philips is still there. Now she is trying to change the rules, something she successfully did after losing the Green Party Deputy Leader election. Of course, Alex Philips is almost umbilically connected to Caroline Lucas, so it does not take much to see who is really behind the efforts to unseat Kitcat.
How has Alex Philips managed to not get kicked out of the Green Party and removed from the number two position on their European elections list? Last year she made a fool of herself and all of the Brighton and Hove Green Councillors by tweeting the Labour group leader to offer him the leadership of the council – tweets that he then published. In any other party that would have led to rapid expulsion, but Philips is still there. Now she is trying to change the rules, something she successfully did after losing the Green Party Deputy Leader election. Of course, Alex Philips is almost umbilically connected to Caroline Lucas, so it does not take much to see who is really behind the efforts to unseat Kitcat.
is there some new news ?
WOW https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2014/03/13/brighton-and-hoves-green-council-chief-facing-leadership-challenge/27970
i am keen to see a nice GREEN leader.. umm any one got any idea who can do the job ?
is there some new news ?
WOW https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2014/03/13/brighton-and-hoves-green-council-chief-facing-leadership-challenge/27970
i am keen to see a nice GREEN leader.. umm any one got any idea who can do the job ?
Kitkat was a Liberal democrat in disguise and had to go! Just a shame he did not go when told. The Green Party is truly democratic byt Kitkats legacy was to damage Brighton and the Greens. Heis not welcome back. Long live red/greens!