Cllr Swainston: "Democracy Failing"

3.54.31pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 2nd Feb 2008

Cllr Martin Swainston, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Darlington Borough Council, has hit out at the "Failing system" of democracy in Darlington. He is demanding drastic changes to restore productive political debate in the Council.

"We are in the situation where the democratic process in the Council is quite seriously failing. At the Full Council on Thursday night we had an instance where awkward questions were asked and the Labour Group were hiding behind process in the Chamber. For democracy to work properly the Labour Cabinet seriously needs to start answering questions in Council. Cabinet members need to put more effort in. They are either failing to answer questions or are totally reliant upon a whisper in the ear from officers."