Tag: Liberal Democrats

Calls for Council leader Cammy Day to resign following ‘serious allegations’

The leader of Edinburgh City Council, Labour’s Cammy Day, is being investigated by police over an allegation of inappropriate behaviour.

The Sunday Mail reported this morning that Forth councillor Day “bombarded Ukrainian refugees” with messages of a sexual nature.

The newspaper alleges he asked them sexually explicit questions, tried to meet them for wine dates and complimented them on their looks.

The Sunday Mail spoke to two Ukrainians who say Mr Day had been messaging them. They said they felt unable to ignore his unsolicited approaches due to his position within the council.

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh City Council said: “All matters raised with the chief executive and monitoring officer have been progressed through our established processes in consultation [with] our independent whistleblowing service, Safecall, and, where appropriate, Police Scotland.”

A Scottish Labour spokeswoman said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”

Labour’s leader in Scotland Anas Sarwar confirmed this morning that Mr Day has been suspended from the party pending the outcome of any investigation, but Mr Sarwar refused to comment further while investigations are ongoing.

A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed: “On Tuesday 22 October, we received a report of inappropriate behaviour. Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”

Labour is the only the third biggest party on Edinburgh Council but Mr Day has led the local authority since May 2022 with support from the Lib Dems and the Scottish Conservatives. Both of these groups are now calling for his resignation.

Lib-Dem group leader Kevin Lang said this morning: “I have this morning written formally to Cllr Cammy Day to call on him to step down immediately as Leader of Edinburgh Council.

“The Liberal Democrat group has also tabled an emergency motion for Tuesday’s Policy Committee to agree he must now resign.”

Conservative councillor Iain Whyte said last night: “If Cammy Day has been suspended by Labour he can’t have their support to remain as Council Leader.

“He must step aside immediately. The Council as a whole can then decide a way forward.”

The SNP, the largest opposition party in Edinburgh, have also called for Cllr Day’s immediate resignation.

Cllr Simita Kumar, who leads the SNP group, said Mr Day should resign without delay.

She said on Twitter: “This is beyond shocking, I’m almost lost for words. @cllrcammyday needs to resign as Council Leader immediately.”

She later added: “Serious allegations have been made against Council Leader – Councillor Cammy Day.

“I have written to Paul Lawrence, Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council, to take immediate actions to safeguard the public, protect staff, and offer support to anyone impacted.”

The Scottish Green group have also called for Cammy Day’s ‘immediate resignation’:

Councillor Cammy Day has made no comment but his position is looking increasingly untenable.

Deal done: Tories welcomed aboard as part of capital’s new administration

SNP VOWS TO HOLD ‘RIGHT WING COALITION’ TO ACCOUNT

Edinburgh’s Labour Group has formed an administration to lead the City of Edinburgh Council following a controversial deal with the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Detailed discussions have been ongoing across political groups since the Local Government Elections on 5 May and, following a vote at today’s Council meeting, Labour councillors will convene the Council’s six executive committees.

Cllr Cammy Day has become Leader of the Council with Cllr Mandy Watt appointed as Depute Leader. 

Cllr Robert Aldridge had earlier been appointed as Lord Provost, taking the chair for the first time, with members of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups appointed as Conveners and Vice Conveners of quasi-judicial committees, including the Licensing and Development Management Sub-Committees.

The full list of appointments is below. 

The convener of the Governance, Risk and Best Value committee will be decided at the next Council meeting on 30 June.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: I’m delighted and extremely honoured that we’ve reached agreement to lead the City of Edinburgh Council today.

“We’re committed to addressing the issues that matter the most to the people of Edinburgh, making the case for the funding we deserve as a Capital City and protecting our front-line services; taking forward the work of the Poverty Commission to tackle the cost of living crisis, promoting fair work and ensuring our children and young people get the best possible start in life.

“We’ll continue to focus on the fight against climate change and our ambitious target of being net zero by 2030, boosting our affordable house-building programme, taking Trams to Newhaven and delivering the pioneering regeneration of the Granton Waterfront and north Edinburgh.

“I’m confident our collaborative approach will lead to far more consensual and co-operative decision-making and I look forward to working closely across all parties, delivering positive changes and policies for the good of our great Capital City and its residents.”

The Lib-Dems, who doubled their number of councillors at this month’s election, justified their reasons for voting as they did:

Chief Executive, Andrew Kerr, said: I would like to congratulate Councillor Day and the Labour Group on forming an administration today.

“I look forward to working with all councillors over the next five years to deliver the best possible services for the people of Edinburgh.”

The full list of appointments is

Leader of the Council – Cllr Cammy Day (Lab)
Depute Leader of the Council – Cllr Mandy Watt (Lab)
Lord Provost – Cllr Robert Aldridge (Lib Dem)
Depute Lord Provost – Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron (Lab)
Convener of Culture and Communities – Cllr Val Walker (Lab)
Convener of Transport and Environment – Cllr Scott Arthur (Lab)
Convener of Housing and Economy – Cllr Jane Meagher (Lab)
Convener of Education, Children and Families – Cllr Joan Griffiths (Lab)
Convener of Finance and Resources – Cllr Mandy Watt (Lab)
Licensing Board Convener – Cllr Louise Young (Lib Dem)
Licensing Board Vice Convener – Cllr Jason Rust (Cons)
Convener of Government, Risk and Best Value – to be decided 30 June 
Planning Committee Convener – Cllr James Dalgleish (Lab)
Regulatory Committee Convener – Cllr Neil Ross (Lib Dem)
Convener or Vice-Convener of Integration Joint Board – Cllr Tim Pogson (Lab)
Development Sub Committee Convenor – Cllr Hal Osler (Lib Dem)
Licensing Sub Committee Convenor – Cllr Joanna Mowat (Cons)

The SNP has run the city with Labour as a ‘Capital Coalition’ for ten years, and the SNP was the biggest party once again following this month’s election.

Capital Coalition III was very much on the cards until Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar announced that there would be no coalition deals with the SNP or the … em, Tories!

Former council leader Adam McVey said: “The Lab/Tory/Lib coalition is held together by nothing more a burning hatred of the SNP & a carve up of jobs.

“We will keep our focus on delivering the change needed for Edinburgh & will hold this right-wing coalition to account.”

Green Group Co-convener Cllr Claire Miller said: “We are disappointed not to have passed our proposal for a council which would have delivered on the climate emergency and the cost of living crisis.

“However Greens will continue to work constructively in the council, as we have always done.”

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY PAYMENTS

Lord Provost – Robert Aldridge (Liberal) – £44.039.

Deputy Provost – Lezley Cameron (Labour) – £29,360

Council Leader – Cammy Day (Labour) – £58,719

Deputy Leader – Mandy Watt (Labour) – £44,039 *

Transport and Environment – Scott Arthur (Labour) – £36,669 *

Education. Children and Families – Joan Griffiths (Labour) – £36,669

Housing and Economy – Jane Meagher (Labour) – £36,699 *

Culture and Communities – Val Walker (Labour) – £36,699 *

Planning – James Dalgliesh (Labour) – £36,699 *

Integration Joint Board – Tim Podgson (Labour) – £36,699 *

Licensing Board – Louise Young (Liberal) – £36,699

Regulatory Committee – Neil Ross (Liberal) – £36,699 *

Development Sub Cttee – Hal Osler (Liberal) – £36,699

Licensing Sub Cttee – Jo Mowat (Conservative) – £36,699

Licensing Sub Convenor – Jason Rust (Conservative) – £26,360

(*) denotes new councillor

Alex Cole-Hamilton: Lib-Dems say NO to ‘COVID ID cards’

“Vaccinations are undoubtedly the route out of this. But vaccine passports are not.”

Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has spoken out against Scottish Government proposals to introduce a vaccine certificate in Scotland.

The Edinburgh Western MSP said: “Next week the Scottish Parliament will vote on SNP/Green proposals to introduce vaccine certification in Scotland.

“For the first time, Scottish People will have to share private medical data with strangers in order to access venues and services. 

“These are COVID ID cards in all but name and the Scottish Liberal Democrats are leading the opposition to their introduction.

“Our hospitality and events businesses see COVID ID cards as a threat to their recovery.

“COVID ID cards will not stop the spread of the virus, reduce case numbers or make up for the week-long delays in contact tracing. There are no time limits on their use and the door will be left open to expand their use in the future. 

“Vaccines are our way out of the pandemic and I urge everyone who can receive a vaccine to get one. But COVID ID cards are illiberal and dangerous precedent and are not part of the answer.”

Lib Dems select Jack Caldwell to contest Leith Walk

  • Experienced local community activist with a strong record.
  • A community councillor and volunteer local youth group leader.
  • Passionate about using positive politics to reduce inequalities.

Experienced local community activist Jack Caldwell will be the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for the upcoming City of Edinburgh Council by-election in Leith Walk (Ward 12). Continue reading Lib Dems select Jack Caldwell to contest Leith Walk