Update 12th May 16:00;
As per my last update, Kevin Madge has just issued a statement to say he has resigned as leader of Carmarthenshire Council. He will still be a councillor of course.
He thanked the Independent Group "most sincerely" folks for their "support and friendship" and "those people" in the Labour group who have supported him...and curse on all the houses of those who booted him out, I imagine.
He also thanks Mark James, the chief executive who, let's be honest, hasn't exactly done him any favours.
There is a full council meeting tomorrow at 10am and the AGM is next Wednesday, the 20th May. Both may well be worth a watch. The fur has definitely been flying.
Update 12th May 11;00;
It is understood that a change in leadership of the council can only happen if Kevin Madge resigns or a Motion calling for a change of leader is brought to full council, possibly at the AGM on the 20th May, if they're quick enough.
I would imagine the most painless and least embarrassing way for Kev to relinquish the crown would be to resign.
It will be interesting to see if there are any other nominations for leader aside from Jeff Edmunds....
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Kevin Madge has been ousted as leader of the Labour group on Carmarthenshire County Council. In successful challenge this afternoon, Labour colleague Cllr Jeff Edmunds has replaced him following a secret ballot at the group's AGM.
Cllr Edmunds nomination as leader of Carmarthenshire Council will be considered at the council AGM on May 20th but his appointment is likely to be a formality.
As this challenge had been rumoured for some time, it was understood that Cllr Edmunds was not the preferred choice of Meryl, whose Independents are in coalition with Labour...
It will be interesting to see whether this prompts something of an Executive Board reshuffle or even a push for the top slot from the Independents.
Kevin Madge survived a council motion of no confidence in March 2014 in the aftermath of the pension and libel indemnity scandals in a tightly whipped vote. He had been on the executive board when the original unlawful decisions had been made and has continued to defend the indefensible at huge cost to the taxpayer.
Cllr Madge has been seen as weak and a puppet leader, remaining solidly under the influence of the chief executive and Meryl Gravell. Combined with the negative effect his track record has had on the local Labour doorstep, he has now failed to win the confidence of even his own party.
How 'Psychic' Jeff Edmunds will fare however, remains to be seen....
As per my last update, Kevin Madge has just issued a statement to say he has resigned as leader of Carmarthenshire Council. He will still be a councillor of course.
He thanked the Independent Group "most sincerely" folks for their "support and friendship" and "those people" in the Labour group who have supported him...and curse on all the houses of those who booted him out, I imagine.
He also thanks Mark James, the chief executive who, let's be honest, hasn't exactly done him any favours.
There is a full council meeting tomorrow at 10am and the AGM is next Wednesday, the 20th May. Both may well be worth a watch. The fur has definitely been flying.
Update 12th May 11;00;
It is understood that a change in leadership of the council can only happen if Kevin Madge resigns or a Motion calling for a change of leader is brought to full council, possibly at the AGM on the 20th May, if they're quick enough.
I would imagine the most painless and least embarrassing way for Kev to relinquish the crown would be to resign.
It will be interesting to see if there are any other nominations for leader aside from Jeff Edmunds....
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Kevin Madge has been ousted as leader of the Labour group on Carmarthenshire County Council. In successful challenge this afternoon, Labour colleague Cllr Jeff Edmunds has replaced him following a secret ballot at the group's AGM.
Cllr Edmunds nomination as leader of Carmarthenshire Council will be considered at the council AGM on May 20th but his appointment is likely to be a formality.
As this challenge had been rumoured for some time, it was understood that Cllr Edmunds was not the preferred choice of Meryl, whose Independents are in coalition with Labour...
It will be interesting to see whether this prompts something of an Executive Board reshuffle or even a push for the top slot from the Independents.
Kevin Madge survived a council motion of no confidence in March 2014 in the aftermath of the pension and libel indemnity scandals in a tightly whipped vote. He had been on the executive board when the original unlawful decisions had been made and has continued to defend the indefensible at huge cost to the taxpayer.
Cllr Madge has been seen as weak and a puppet leader, remaining solidly under the influence of the chief executive and Meryl Gravell. Combined with the negative effect his track record has had on the local Labour doorstep, he has now failed to win the confidence of even his own party.
How 'Psychic' Jeff Edmunds will fare however, remains to be seen....