Caroline Russell 

• WE were incredibly disappointed to read Cllr Caroline Russell’s comments in the March 25 edition of Tribune claiming that the people of Islington’s democratically-elected councillors are part of a “broken” system, (Lack of scrutiny in one-party council is ‘broken system’).

The simple fact is that the people of Islington voted for their Labour councillors in great numbers because they have seen what a Labour council can do for them and believe in making our borough a fairer and more equal place.

Islington Labour colleagues scrutinise council services across all departments, this is not just the role of opposition councillor. Policy decisions are made democratically, as a Labour group, scrutinised to ensure they reflect the vision of our council.

Our roles in scrutiny committees are not just based on which party we represent but on the needs of our community and we have consistently achieved change to reflect this.

Added to this, over the past eight years, we have ensured Cllr Russell has her pick of scrutiny committees to sit on, despite the fact she was the only opposition councillor elected.

In that time Labour-led scrutiny committees have led the way to improve council repairs, reduce school exclusions and scrutinise the net-zero carbon plans.

And while Labour councillors scrutinise decisions on committees and in Labour group meetings, Cllr Russell consistently abstains on decisions in full council, including on council budgets to fund new council homes, free school meals, action on the climate emergency and financial support for lower-income families. If Cllr Russell wants more opposition, she could start by doing so herself.

Throughout the past 12 years, far from the Green Party councillor being the council’s opposition, it has been the Tory government, forcing budget savings of over £280million, not allowing us to borrow enough to build 100 per cent council housing and refusing us the right to license landlords across our borough.

Our Labour council will continue to stand up for local people and make our borough a more equal place, despite the Tory government’s opposition.

CLLR TRICIA CLARKE
CLLR GULCIN OZDEMIR
Labour, St George’s ward