North Somerset Council leadership coalition to continue

Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) said in October that it would end all power sharing agreements with Green Party councillors who would not renounce the party’s controversial new “Zionism is racism” policy. The two parties have been part of North Somerset’s multi-party partnership administration since 2019.

The NEC has now announced that North Somerset is one of just six local authorities where power sharing will continue. Green councillors in North Somerset had already distanced themselves from the Zionism policy before Labour issued its ultimatum and have accused the party management of “playing political games.”

Green group leader Bridget Petty said: “Labour’s ultimatum was never really about the conduct of Green councillors in North Somerset, who are wholeheartedly committed to our area. It came from Labour HQ in London and is a really troubling attack on local democracy. North Somerset deserves so much better than Labour MPs and councillors ruled by national party management playing political games with all our futures.

“Green councillors are not subject to a party whip and are free to form their own views and act according to their conscience. We’ll continue to work hard to represent our local communities, as we have done for the past seven years in a collaborative administration.”

Deputy council leader Catherine Gibbons, who leads the Labour group, said she “warmly welcomed” the NEC’s decision. She said: “I am pleased that the local Green councillors’ public opposition to the motion has been recognised and that we now have clarity about the future of our partnership. I believe local politics works best when we engage constructively, treat one another with respect and remain focused on the people we were elected to serve. At the same time, it is essential that we uphold Labour’s values and take our responsibilities as representatives of our communities seriously.

“As Labour group leader, the priority remains delivering for the people of North Somerset. I am proud of the commitment of our Labour councillors and the work they do every day for their residents. I welcome the NEC’s decision and look forward to continuing our work on the issues that matter most to local people, with our Labour values and principles firmly at the heart of everything we do.”

Green Party members voted 1,022 to 813 at their party conference in October to adopt the “Zionism is racism” motion as party policy. It says that Zionism, the movement to have a Jewish state in historic Palestine, puts Jews above Palestinians and so should be “treated as any other form of racism.” Party leader Zack Polanski did not attend the vote but said he would have opposed it.

Ms Gibbons told the Local Democracy Reporting Service on October 16 that she had written to the Green group for a “clear and unambiguous assurance” that they rejected the policy. By that time, Liberal Democract council leader Mike Bell had already reached out to the Green group and been told that they did.

He said: “I am satisfied that they have clearly distanced themselves from the conference motion in its current form and reaffirmed those shared values. I hope the Green Party nationally will recognise the harm that has been done and will seek to reverse their damaging position.

“Liberal Democrat councillors will continue to work together to deliver for residents, while recognising the seriousness and sensitivity of the wider debate and its impact on Jewish residents and communities.”

North Somerset has been run by a “partnership administration” since 2019, made up of the Liberal Democrats and independents in their group, Labour, Greens, and Portishead Independents. Conservatives, who are the largest party, are in opposition along with Reform UK. The Green Party, who today have eight seats on North Somerset Council, have a long history in North Somerset. Congresbury was one of the first ever council seats won by the Green Party in 1986.

Setting out the Green group’s position on the “Zionism is racism” motion in an open letter in response to Ms Gibbons, Ms Petty said: “While there are elements in the motion that reflect values we share, particularly around human rights, equality and justice, the Green councillors in North Somerset do not support the policy. […] We firmly oppose antisemitism and all other forms of racism and discrimination. We represent all our residents, whatever their background, faith or beliefs, and believe everyone should feel safe, respected and included in our communities.”

Her open letter continued: “We recognise that your letter follows a position taken by the national Labour Party, but would hope that the trust and mutual respect we have built through working together locally would allow us to discuss difficult issues without resorting to such demands.”

It said: “We have serious concerns about a number of Labour government policies, including the proscription of Palestine Action, the arrests of people peacefully protesting against that proscription and the continued authorisation of some arms exports to Israel.

“These are issues about which we feel strongly, but we have never suggested that disagreements over national policy should put our local working arrangements at risk. Our responsibility to the residents of North Somerset must come first.”