The political volcano that has 'erupted' amid the Labour WhatsApp scandal
Tameside, once again, is in the national spotlight for the wrong reasons
Tameside's political landscape has been rocked by scandal and in-party squabbles this week. But it's nothing new.
With such a strong Labour majority in the borough, the biggest threat to the ruling party is from those within. Internal divisions were once again exposed when messages from a WhatsApp group were leaked.
The messages, from the 'Trigger Me Timbers' chat, led to a string of suspensions - now totalling two MPs and 12 councillors - in what has been an embarrassing episode for Labour nationally. But the writing was already on the wall.
Last year, Labour sent party officials to Tameside to bring about 'culture change', accusing the group locally of 'unacceptable working practices'. It came amid a week of turmoil at the town hall over its failure to fix long-standing issues in children's services.
Last week, those officials reported back. An email seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service/Manchester Evening News, warned of the danger of a factional fight 'erupting'.
The latest drama came no surprise to Labour sources. But Trigger Me Timbers conversations - among Gorton and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne and his allies - still shocked many.
Gorton and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)Mr Gwynne was sacked as a junior health minister on Saturday (February 8). He is alleged to have made anti-Semitic slights in the group. He also appeared to joke about a pensioner dying before an election after she raised concerns about bin collections.
Mr Gwynne apologised for his 'badly misjudged comments', as did former Tameside councillor and Burnley MP Oliver Ryan, also suspended. Mr Gwynne's sacking was followed by the resignations of Denton councillors Jack Naylor, Claire Reid and George Newton as cabinet members at Tameside council.
They were initially among 11 councillors from Tameside and Stockport suspended by the party, including former council leader Brenda Warrington. Another ex-Tameside council leader followed - Ged Cooney - who says he was not in the WhatsApp group. That takes the total to a dozen.
Droylsden West representative Coun Cooney said he is alleged by the party to have provided information and commentary to the media.
Political infighting is nothing new in Tameside. Labour has had three leaders in as many years. Coun Ged Cooney took over from former leader Coun Warrington in 2022.
Tameside is once again in the national spotlight (Image: Sean Hansford)Coun Cooney lasted two years in the top job. Last October, the borough was thrust into the national spotlight as long-standing failures in the authority's children's services directorate were identified. It led to chief executive Sandra Stewart resigning. Following a number of senior councillor resignations, Coun Cooney quit as leader.
Local politics was described as 'toxic' in a scathing report by the children's commissioner, in which the department was rated 'inadequate'. Following that crisis, a campaign improvement board (CIB) was set up by the Labour Party's National Executive Committee (NEC) to bring about 'culture change'. Bosses installed Coun Eleanor Wills as leader.
Sources say there are still clear divides locally and tensions continue to simmer. In email update from the CIB on February 4, a regional party official claimed there was a 'lack of acceptance by elements of the Labour group of the problems facing Tameside council'; 'no commitment from a number of Labour members to tackle the issues'; and 'deep factional divides within the Labour group'.
The email also contained claims of a 'poor culture' of campaigning, with a lack of new candidates coming forward to run for election. And it criticised the candidate selection process locally. The CIB will take over the selection of candidates from now on.
The email says that, 'in all probability', there will be no leadership change for two years', with the CIB remaining for the foreseeable future.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds arriving in Downing street, in central London (Image: PA)The update warned of the 'danger of a factional fight erupting'. Four days later Andrew Gwynne was sacked as health minister and the chaos continued.
The infighting last October led to two government ministers delivering scathing statements. Four months on and deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, also Ashton-Under-Lyne- MP, and business minister Jonathan Reynolds, Stalybridge and Hyde MP, have issued statements.
Mr Reynolds said: "Like all local residents I have been disgusted by the WhatsApp comments revealed to have been made by Denton and Reddish representatives. Some of the messages we've seen have been completely unacceptable and I welcome the fact that both the Prime Minister, Labour Party and Tameside Council Leader Eleanor Wills took swift action against the individuals involved.
"To me, serving constituents is a privilege that must be honoured with respect. I know the Labour Government and the Labour Party will not hesitate to act if the highest standards are not upheld."
UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (Image: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)Mrs Rayner said: "First of all, I was absolutely disgusted by what is in that WhatsApp group. I'm a Tameside MP, there were things about me - but the way in which they spoke about the people we're there to represent, I was absolutely disgusted.
"I'm pleased actually that it's come to light because I don't want people like that representing our people. It's an absolute honour to represent the people I represent, the people I grew up with, and I've got a lot of time and respect for people.
"To be so disrespectful in that way, we don't want people like that in our party. But equally, I think people need to be responsible in setting the culture."
The shockwaves have been felt at the council. Rebuilding work started by Coun Wills four months ago has taken a serious dent.
Her initial statement as the new leader called for stability and a change of culture. This past week has been anything but. With such a strong Labour majority in the chamber, the biggest threat to the council's stability is from those within.
In a recent statement, Coun Wills said: "I would like to respond to concerns that have arisen as a result of comments in a historic WhatsApp group involving a number of local councillors and MPs.
"Firstly, I share the widespread sentiments of many in our community that the comments made were truly unacceptable. Like many, I was truly shocked and appalled. I empathise deeply with anyone disturbed by these comments.
Council building in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside (Image: Sean Hansford)"As soon as these comments came to light, immediate and robust action was taken against those involved by the Prime Minister, the Labour Party and myself as the leader of Tameside Council. This was the right thing to do and is of utmost importance to ensure the highest possible standards from elected representatives that our residents deserve.
"An investigation is ongoing and Tameside Labour are committed to transparency throughout this process and will co-operate with any investigations as required.
"When I took over as leader of the council, three months ago, I committed myself to do whatever it takes to improve standards at Tameside Council and that extends to the conduct of members."
Last week, Labour had 48 councillors out of 57 seats in the chamber. This week, due to suspensions, that number is down to 38. Tgat leaves 12 independent councillors and seven Conservatives.
In the coming weeks, the council will need to set its budget, one of the most important jobs of the year. Council business has to go on as the latest saga is played out in the papers.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: "As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a group of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Party. As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was launched in line with the Labour Party’s rules and procedures and this process is ongoing.
"Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members."
The following councillors have been suspended from the Labour Party, the Local Democracy Reporting Service/Manchester Evening News understands:
Councillor Claire Reid, Tameside Councillor Jack Naylor, Tameside Councillor George Newton, Tameside Councillor Vincent Ricci, Tameside Councillor Charlotte Martin, Tameside Councillor Allison Gwynne, Tameside Councillor George Jones, Tameside Councillor Brenda Warrington, Tameside Councillor Denise Ward, Tameside Councillor David Sedgwick, Stockport Councillor Holly McCormack, Stockport Councillor Ged Cooney, Tameside
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