Enfield Council urged to change time of Shabbat no confidence vote

A London council has been urged to change the time of a no confidence meeting being held during Shabbat as it would prevent observant Jewish councillors from attending.

The Jewish London Forum has written to Enfield Council after the extraordinary meeting was scheduled for 7pm on Friday, adding it would prevent anyone who kept the Sabbath from attending.

The meeting includes a motion submitted by the Conservative group of councillors, who are the opposition on the council, for a no confidence vote.

Tory deputy leader, Cllr Edward Smith, responded to the letter saying: “I fully understand your concerns and it is very regrettable that the two Jewish Members of Community First will be unable to attend the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council next Friday. 

“Their contribution will be missed. My understanding is that we were given no choice by the Monitoring Officer about the timing and the date.”

A council spokesperson said Friday was the only available time, because of purdah rules before the Mayoral election.

“Unfortunately, because of the timing of the request for an extraordinary council meeting, the only available date before purdah started was Friday March 19,” he said.

“Council officers have attempted to accommodate all parties, but unless the councillors who have called the extraordinary council meeting permit the meeting being called after the Mayoral elections, it is required to go ahead.”