Councillor blasts former Labour colleagues after quitting party

St Helens Council’s Pam Howard made the shock announcement that she was stepping down as chief whip and resigning the Labour whip last week.

The Earlestown councillor, who was only elected in May, was on the verge of quitting early last week but decided to stay following talks with Labour North West, the regional arm of the party, on Thursday.

However, Cllr Howard discovered she no longer had the full backing of St Helens Council leader David Baines to remain as chief whip after speaking to him later that evening.

Subsequently, Cllr Howard sent a stinging email to her Labour colleagues, informing them of her decision to resign the group whip with “immediate effect”.

In the email, which has been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Cllr Howard claimed she was subjected to “intimidation” as soon as she took up the position of chief whip.

The former Labour councillor also bemoaned a lack of support from the council leader.

However, St Helens Labour say the reasons she has given for her resignation are surprising and it takes “any accusations of improper conduct extremely seriously”.

Cllr Pam Howard, ward councillor for Earlestown

Cllr Howard became chief whip shortly after being elected in May, taking over from Paul Pritchard, who stepped down following a brief stint in the role.

Speaking to the LDRS, Cllr Howard claimed there has been “a clear lack of support” from the group’s leadership during her time as chief whip.

Cllr Howard alleged she was “verbally attacked” by one cabinet member and threatened to sanction a cabinet member who refused to abide by the whip.

However, Cllr Howard claimed she was “undermined” after the council leader told the councillor in question that sanctions would not be necessary.

“From that point onwards, I have been constrained in how I have been able to address several complaints and concerns,” Cllr Howard said.

“There have been various challenges from a couple of members who in my opinion feel that they are above the rules and appear to have the support of senior political figures inside and outside of the group, and that has led to constraining the whip’s remit.”

Cllr Baines was elected as leader of St Helens Council in May, following a turbulent couple of years for the authority.

His appointment saw a raft of changes to cabinet with the new administration seeking to move forward and heal some of the divisions that had formed within the group.

Poor behaviour within the ruling Labour group was highlighted by the Local Government Association in two separate reviews published earlier this year.

Cllr Howard claimed this poor behaviour continued since the local elections, which saw Labour lose three seats.

“The public will be aware that here have been numerous issues of inappropriate behaviour and discipline within the group for a number of years, which have unfortunately not been dealt with forcefully enough in my view,” Cllr Howard said.

“That poor behaviour has continued since the local elections in May this year.

“The majority of group members undertake their roles with integrity and respect, but the minority conduct themselves in a manner which I cannot accept as suitable behaviour for a person in public office, no matter what their political party.”

Cllr Howard added: “Those who know me well will vouch for the fact that I will not sit by and condone inappropriate behaviour and I certainly will not protect or appease any member who brings embarrassment to the Labour group or party.

“The people of St Helens deserve well-disciplined political leadership but unfortunately, I find that lacking at the current time, and this poor behaviour detracts from what the council should be focusing on in these challenging times.”

Cllr Howard, now sitting as an independent, said she has had “huge support and encouragement” since quitting the party, adding that she does not intend to step down to re-contest her seat in a by-election.

Cllr Pam Howard does not think she has had the full support of St Helens Council leader David Baines (pictured)

A St Helens Labour spokesman said it takes take any accusations of improper conduct “extremely seriously”.

“It is disappointing that Cllr Howard has made this decision at a time when the council and our Labour leadership are working hard to make positive changes and progress for the people of St Helens borough,” the St Helens Labour spokesman said.

“The reasons she has given for her resignation are surprising and we take any accusations of improper conduct extremely seriously.

“If presented with evidence we will of course investigate.

“Labour are committed to make things better in St Helens borough, and issues such as this won’t distract us from the work residents rightly expect us to be doing.”

A Labour Party spokesman added: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures.

“We cannot comment on individual cases.”