Sheffield LibDems condemn “endless political drama” of Labour-Green council split
Party questions whether Labour can be believed after announcing for a second time that it is ending its joint administration
Sheffield LibDems have criticised “another extraordinary U-turn from Labour” that has finally ended power sharing with the Greens.
The party has questioned whether Sheffield City Council Labour group can be believed after announcing for a second time that it is ending its joint administration with the Green Party.
The council remains under no overall control with Labour, LibDems and Greens as the biggest parties.
Council leader Fran Belbin said last week that trust with the Greens was “completely broken” in a row over Zionism.
Then she announced at the November full council meeting last Wednesday that a way forward had been found to continue a joint administration following last-minute talks.
The initial split was prompted by a Green Party conference motion equating Zionism with racism and calling for a single sovereign state in Palestine.
Labour nationally told its council groups to end power-sharing arrangements unless Greens distanced themselves from the decision.
The Greens have blamed national Labour intervention for the breakdown.
Labour have pointed to coverage in the Jewish Chronicle this week about Green councillor Mustafa Ahmed’s social media activity, claiming this shows “blatant antisemitism” in Green ranks.
LibDem group leader Coun Martin Smith said: “This is another extraordinary U-turn from Labour.
“First they told us that trust with the Greens was broken. Then everything was apparently fine. Now their partnership is over again.
“Both parties seem more concerned with saving their own skin rather than doing what’s right for our city.
“Sheffield deserves better than this endless political drama.”
Coun Ahmed said: “I am prepared to take the necessary actions against those who continue to attack me.
“Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism, and conflating the two serves only to shield state violence from legitimate scrutiny.
“While I stand firmly against all genuine forms of racism. I will not retreat from my solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle for justice and self-determination.”