THE rift in Glasgow's ruling Labour Group seemed deeper than ever
yesterday following Councillor Jean McFadden's dramatic defeat as group
leader at the hands of old rival Pat Lally.
As the defeated McFaddenites shuffled into the City Chambers for
routine meetings, it was clear they were taking defeat very badly.
A prominent former member of the McFadden caucus, and a more junior
member who had wavered between both camps, were being openly identified
as being responsible for her 27-25 defeat.
The latter, Councillor Tony McCartney, was having a particularly hard
time. The McFadden camp had obviously decided to send him to Coventry --
and it wasn't a conference or a fact-finding trip.
Sitting by the councillors' mail boxes, a grim-faced Councillor
McCartney complained: ''They're behaving like children.''
Later, a prominent McFaddenite was taking delight in suggesting two
nominations for Judas Iscariot awards.
Said one insider: ''McFadden's intelligentsia are taking their defeat
very badly. When Mr Lally lost last time there was nothing like this. I
dare say working class people are used to taking knocks in life. But
clearly the intelligentsia can't handle this defeat.''
While all this was going on, new Labour leader Pat Lally was taking
the first steps towards a review of the council's committee structure.
He has asked research staff to produce information on how the existing
system is functioning, a move which appears to have triggered paranoia
among some McFaddenite committee conveners.
He explained: ''What we are interested in is the efficiency of the
committee structure. If we are looking at the structure, I'm sure there
will be changes. I am equally sure they will be on a fairly modest
scale.''
Modest they may be, but they might provide rewards for those involved
in yesterday's crucial switch in loyalties. The changes may also sweep
away unsympathetic elements.
Watch this space.
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