Labour Hertsmere borough councillor Graeme Alexander has spoken out on his removal from the cabinet as of November 22.
Cllr Alexander, who remains the elected councillor for Borehamwood Brookmeadow, said: “Being taken off the cabinet was inevitable. If there is a party whip and you decide to go against it, you know what you’re signing up for.”
A total of 34 out of 36 members present at a Full Council meeting at the end of November voted to support a motion pertaining to ongoing events in the Middle East.
The motion read: “Council notes and condemns the October Hamas massacre, calls for an end to terror, regrets all loss of innocent life and supports all genuine moves towards peace that recognise Israel’s legitimate right to self-defence.”
Cllr Alexander told Radlett News: “I condemn Hamas and call for a return of all the hostages, but I don’t think it’s enough to simply ‘regret’ the loss of Palestinian lives.
“I think that a ceasefire would be the only way to prevent the loss of life. I abstained on the motion because it failed to publicly support a ceasefire.
“I didn’t feel I could sign that motion. I’ve got six children and every time I see a picture of a Palestinian child under the rubble, I feel more than just regret.”
Following the vote, senior Hertsmere Conservatives wrote to the Labour Group and Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council councillor Jeremy Newmark to express their “deep concern” over cllr Alexander’s abstention. The day after the vote, cllr Graeme, who is himself Jewish, was removed from the Hertsmere cabinet.
Cllr Newmark stated: “I believe cllr Alexander’s actions stem from his sincere, deep humanitarian and compassionate worldview. Nevertheless, they are naïve and misguided.”
Liberal Democrat councillor for Bushey North Louise Nicholas also abstained from the vote.
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