Lib Dems say "Sheffield deserves better than this political circus" as Labour and Greens salvage alliance
“This is a shameful abandonment of principle by Labour”
The local Liberal Democrat branch has accused Labour of creating a “political circus” after threats to end their joint leadership agreement with the Green Party were reversed at the 11th hour.
At a full council meeting on Wednesday, November 4, councillors were prepared to vote on Labour forming a minority leadership after a row over the Green’s controversial ‘Zionism is Racism’ motion fractured the two party’s alliance.
However, just after 3pm, when the delayed meeting began, council leader Fran Belbin announced that the leadership arrangement would not be ending after a last minute agreement was made.
Labour’s Coun Belbin told the town hall: "The reason that we are late today, and let us be clear about it, is that we have been having discussions between ourselves, the Labour group, and the Green Party, over the course of today to see if we can get ourselves to a better place."
The Green Party have been branded by antisemitic by critics after passing their motion on Zionism at the national party conference in early October.
The Liberal Democrats said they would vote with Labour to get Greens out of Sheffield City Council’s leadership ahead of Wednesday’s meeting.
They are now claiming Labour have abandoned their principles by failing to follow through with their threats against the Greens.
Councillor Martin Smith, leader of the Sheffield Liberal Democrat Group, said: "This is an extraordinary U-turn and a shameful abandonment of principle by Labour.
"Just days ago, Labour were telling us that trust with the Greens was completely broken and that they could no longer work together. Now they've decided to carry on as if nothing happened.
"What exactly has changed? The Greens haven't disavowed the Zionism policy, two of their members proposed it at their party conference, and the concerns Labour raised haven't gone away.
"Labour were right to recognise that this was a serious issue, but their decision to reverse course makes a complete mockery of everything they've said over the last few days.
"The Liberal Democrats were prepared to support Labour in removing the Greens from leadership. Instead, Labour have completely undermined their own position.
"The people of Sheffield deserve better than this political circus."