GRUNDY “LAYS DOWN MARKER” FOR LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE

12-05-2008

Kingstanding Councillor Cath Grundy fell nine votes short of defeating Ian Ward as deputy leader of Birmingham’s Labour group – but she believes the support she received “lays down a marker” for a future leadership challenge.

Ten Labour councillors backed Grundy, considerably more than had been forecast by her opponents – leaving Ward with the backing of 24.

She claims that other colleagues who had promised to support her backed out at the last minute, under pressure from the leadership.

"My speech was based on the idea that we should stop using patronage so much and concentrate on principles," she said - referring to the belief in some quarters that too many councillors owe their positions to Albert and his backers in the regional party. 

One well-placed Labour insider dismissed her claims, however, commenting that “Cath is just throwing her toys out of the pram.”

According to this analysis, several backbenchers voted against Ward, not out of any sympathy for Grundy, but as a roundabout way of protesting against Sir Albert’s proposal to increase the political levy paid to the party.

There was also some disgruntlement about plans to “review” the performance under-performing councillors – with the veiled threat of de-selection for those who fail to sharpen up their act.