Labour’s NEC delays approval of Hertsmere coalition with Lib Dems

Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) has yet to approve the appointment of Jeremy Newmark as Hertsmere Borough Council leader after launching an investigation into claims of a pre-election pact with the Lib Dems.

Jewish News understands meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday in an attempt to resolve the situation, with Labour’s NEC required to sign off coalition deals following local elections on 4 May .

The NEC had begun the probe into claims raised about possible deals done ahead of the election in Hertsmere before the annual general meeting of the council took place last Wednesday.

It is understood that the panel had yet to complete their investigation, yet Newmark was confirmed new leader of the council following a vote at the AGM.

Speaking to Jewish News on Friday, Newmark told how he was “thrilled” to become new leader and promised an “aspirational new green deal” for the borough.

A report in Sunday’s Observer newspaper also confirmed Labour’s NEC was attempting to veto a deal with the Lib Dems in Hertsmere.

One local Labour source told the newspaper:”This has been a Tory area for the last 24 years, and we’ve worked so hard to change that. It’s quite insulting now to be told we can’t get the benefits.”

Another Hertsmere Labour Group source told Jewish News the local leadership had now instructed councillors to act in the interest of local people and form an administration.

The source highlighted the words of Labour leader Keir Starmer who has repeatedly spoken of the need to put country before party.

But another Labour source said the Hertsmere Labour leadership could have requested that last Wednesday’s AGM vote was delayed until a coalition deal for the borough had been approved.

Newmark will face claims that he has failed to respect the authority of Labour’s ruling NEC on the matter.

Unlike Labour, Lib Dem Groups are given local discretion when entering into coalition deals.

After the local election Hertsmere Conservatives were left with just 16 council seats, having previously held 29 of the total 39 in the borough.

Labour took 14, while the Lib Dems secured nine, up on the three they previously held, leaving both parties with enough seats to form a coalition, despite the council remaining in no overall control.

Jewish News has approached Labour, and councillor Newmark for comment.