That this House notes that in December 2001 the Law Lords delivered a unanimous judgement that Dame Shirley Porter and David Weeks, two Conservative ex-leaders of Westminster City Council, were guilty of 'deliberate, blatant and dishonest abuse of public power' amounting to 'political corruption'; further notes that on 30th May 2003 the European Court of Human Rights rejected Dame Shirley Porter's appeal as 'manifestly ill-founded' and 'inadmissible', and that there is now no further legal recourse available to her; further notes that she is liable for a surcharge which, with interest, totals in excess of ??37 million towards which she has so far contributed ??3,000 and a gold-plated toilet seat; recalls the numerous undertakings given to the House by Conservative ministers of the day that, once the judicial process had been exhausted and the charges of gerrymandering upheld, they would condemn the perpetrators; in particular recalls the assurance of the Right honourable Member for Chingford and Woodford Green that they 'must be subject to the due process of law and that if they are found guilty they should be sanctioned accordingly' 14th May 1996, Official Report, column 849; and calls on the Right honourable Member unequivocally and without further delay to fulfil his pledge and do what no senior Conservative has done to date by apologising publicly for the crimes committed in his party's name and, should she remain a member, expel Dame Shirley Porter from the Conservative Party.

That this House notes that in December 2001 the Law Lords delivered a unanimous judgement that Dame Shirley Porter and David Weeks, two Conservative ex-leaders of Westminster City Council, were guilty of 'deliberate, blatant and dishonest abuse of public power' amounting to 'political corruption'; further notes that on 30th May...

That this House condemns the statements in the article There's Nothing Wrong with Racism on the website of Professor Geoffrey Sampson, Conservative councillor on Wealdon District Council; considers as indefensible and deeply offensive his comments 'Negroes tend to be less bright than whites, multi-culturalism is just wicked madness' and other comments about ethnic minorities, asylum seekers and women; and calls on the Right honourable Member for Chingford to condemn these statements and expel Professor Sampson from the Conservative Party.

That this House condemns the statements in the article There's Nothing Wrong with Racism on the website of Professor Geoffrey Sampson, Conservative councillor on Wealdon District Council; considers as indefensible and deeply offensive his comments 'Negroes tend to be less bright than whites, multi-culturalism is just wicked madness' and other...

That this House notes that Tory councillor Isaac Leibowitz has been sent to prison for six months for his role in the commission of forgery, conspiracy and fraud in local elections in Hackney and that Lib-Dem councillor Zev Lieberman has been jailed for four months; believes that given the gravity of the crimes the sentences were absurdly lenient and calls on the Attorney General to refer the cases to the Court of Appeal so that they can be increased; condemns Leibowitz and Lieberman for their persistent and extraordinary lies during the trial as though they were unable to tell the difference between right and wrong; is saddened that their only regret and that of their colleagues on Hackney Council was that they were caught, regrets that the prosecution has decided not to ask for a re-trial to agree on their innocence or guilt in the trial; calls on Sharer and Achhala who, whether or not they were involved in the fraud, were beneficiaries of it, to resign immediately so that free and fair by-elections can be held; and in furtherance of the interests of democracy for the future calls on local and national leaders in the Tory and Lib-Dem parties including the Tory mayor of Hackney to condemn and disown the fraudsters in the strongest possible terms.

That this House notes that Tory councillor Isaac Leibowitz has been sent to prison for six months for his role in the commission of forgery, conspiracy and fraud in local elections in Hackney and that Lib-Dem councillor Zev Lieberman has been jailed for four months; believes that given the gravity...

That this House deplores the refusal of Councillor Ollerenshaw OBE, the Leader of the Tory Group on Hackney Council and Deputy Leader of the Tory Group on the Greater London Assembly, to condemn the conduct of fellow Tory Councillor Isaac Leibowitz after his conviction for vote-rigging in the 1998 council elections in Hackney; finds it disturbing that Councillor Ollerenshaw should declare on television that the two Hackney councillors, one Tory, one Liberal Democrat, who have disgraced the democratic process, are good people; understands that this is because Councillor Ollerenshaw knows that a number of Tory councillors have been involved in electoral fraud including granny farming in various elections; calls on Councillor Ollerenshaw to explain why the Tory Party in Hackney welcomed Councillor Leibowitz into their ranks knowing that he had been expelled from the Labour Party for serious wrong-doing; and calls on the Leader of the Tory Party nationally to institute an inquiry into Councillor Ollerenshaw's conduct and his knowledge of proxy voting fraud in local elections.

That this House deplores the refusal of Councillor Ollerenshaw OBE, the Leader of the Tory Group on Hackney Council and Deputy Leader of the Tory Group on the Greater London Assembly, to condemn the conduct of fellow Tory Councillor Isaac Leibowitz after his conviction for vote-rigging in the 1998 council...

That this House calls on the Tory and Liberal Democrat parties to uphold the integrity of local government by following the example of the Labour Party in suspending councillors when they are charged with serious criminal offences; regrets that this was not done in the cases of Tory Councillor Isaac Leibowitz and Liberal Democrat Councillor Zev Lieberman in Hackney; and believes that the leaders of the Tory and Liberal Democrat parties should explain why they were prepared to allow their councillors to continue acting in the name of their parties when they were charged with forgery and conspiracy acting in the name of their parties when they were charged with forgery and conspiracy to defraud, offences which went to the heart of the democratic system.

That this House calls on the Tory and Liberal Democrat parties to uphold the integrity of local government by following the example of the Labour Party in suspending councillors when they are charged with serious criminal offences; regrets that this was not done in the cases of Tory Councillor Isaac...

That this House condemns in the strongest possible terms the conduct of Tory Councillor Isaac Leibowitz and Liberal Democrat Councillor Zev Lieberman who were found guilty by a jury of forgery and conspiracy to defraud in one of the worst cases of vote-rigging ever to take place in Britain; is appalled that through the actions of these corrupt councillors the will of the electorate was frustrated in the 1998 council elections in Hackney; believes that Councillors Leibowitz and Lieberman have brought shame on themselves, their political parties and their communities; is saddened that the defendants in this case defiled the memory of the victims of the Holocaust in praying in aid the horrors of the Holocaust in their defence; calls on the Leaders of the Tory Party and the Liberal Democrats to denounce the persistent electoral frauds carried out in Hackney by their members; and congratulates the police on the thoroughness of their investigations in this case and their admirable professionalism and hopes that they will investigate subsequent electoral frauds in Hackney and bring the perpetrators before the courts.

That this House condemns in the strongest possible terms the conduct of Tory Councillor Isaac Leibowitz and Liberal Democrat Councillor Zev Lieberman who were found guilty by a jury of forgery and conspiracy to defraud in one of the worst cases of vote-rigging ever to take place in Britain; is...

That this House pays tribute to the late Norman Cadman of Castlefields and Ditherington in Shrewsbury who died recently aged 83 years after a sudden illness; recognises that he served 22 years as a Labour Councillor who was intensely proud of this ward and the town of Shrewsbury and helped campaign for new playgrounds and other facilities for local children; remembers he served his country as a dispatch driver during the Second World War including seeing action at Arnhem Bridge; and recognises the sacrifice he made representing local people.

That this House pays tribute to the late Norman Cadman of Castlefields and Ditherington in Shrewsbury who died recently aged 83 years after a sudden illness; recognises that he served 22 years as a Labour Councillor who was intensely proud of this ward and the town of Shrewsbury and helped...

That this House welcomes the decision of the electorate in Stockport to reduce the number of Liberal councillors on Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council on 4th May, so ending their control of the Council; deeply regrets their decision to offer Independent Councillor Goddard a place back on the planning committee in exchange for his becoming a Liberal councillor; notes that he resigned from the Labour Group because the Labour Party decided not to re-appoint him to the planning committee in May 1999; further notes that this was because of his friendship with a property developer, and the apparent use of his position on the planning committee to help that developer and in particular to gain planning permission for him for building in the green belt; and believes in local government matters it is essential that local councillors are both honest and seen to be honest, and that the Liberal Group on Stockport Council is setting an appalling example in bribing Councillor Goddard to support them so they can cling on to power.

That this House welcomes the decision of the electorate in Stockport to reduce the number of Liberal councillors on Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council on 4th May, so ending their control of the Council; deeply regrets their decision to offer Independent Councillor Goddard a place back on the planning committee in...

That this House congratulates the District Audit on its damning Review of Grant-Funded Economic Development Schemes of Gwynedd Council, published in November 1999 and reported to the Wales Office (Office of the Secretary of State for Wales); deplores the actions of Plaid Cymru members of the Council criticised in the Review for not declaring their interests in companies of which they were directors when discussing the allocation of public funds to those companies; further notes the failure of a Plaid Cymru councillor to fulfill his statutory obligation to register directorships of companies; notes the many further irregularities disclosed in the Review and, recognising that Gwynedd is included in the area awarded Objective 1 status secured by a Labour Government, believes that decisive action is required by the Council because, in the words of the District Audit, 'it must now ensure it has adequate arrangements in place to ensure that value for money is obtained from Objective 1 investment and the highest standards of probity are maintained'; and calls on the said Plaid Cymru councillors to resign and for the Council urgently to implement the recommendations of the Review, failing which this House believes the public will not have confidence in Gwynedd Council.

That this House congratulates the District Audit on its damning Review of Grant-Funded Economic Development Schemes of Gwynedd Council, published in November 1999 and reported to the Wales Office (Office of the Secretary of State for Wales); deplores the actions of Plaid Cymru members of the Council criticised in the...

That this House deeply regrets the tragic death of Councillor Milton Babulall, Chair of Islington Social Services Committee; recalls his work for justice for all people, his unremitting opposition to racism in any form, his support for ethnic groups in Islington and elsewhere and his championing of the rights of black self organisations in the Labour Party and unions; and sends its condolences to his family and friends.

That this House deeply regrets the tragic death of Councillor Milton Babulall, Chair of Islington Social Services Committee; recalls his work for justice for all people, his unremitting opposition to racism in any form, his support for ethnic groups in Islington and elsewhere and his championing of the rights of...

That this House condemns Westminster Council's plan to hold a secret late night meeting on 16th December to consider requests from current and former Conservative councillors criticised during the 'homes for votes' inquiry to be paid hundreds to thousands to pounds of council tax-payers' money; notes the advice from a leading QC and the legal adviser to John Magill, the Council's former auditor, that such payments would be completely unlawful; and calls on the Council's current auditor to intervene immediately to prevent this outrageous abuse of public office and public funds.

That this House condemns Westminster Council's plan to hold a secret late night meeting on 16th December to consider requests from current and former Conservative councillors criticised during the 'homes for votes' inquiry to be paid hundreds to thousands to pounds of council tax-payers' money; notes the advice from a...

That this House regrets that Liberal Democrat Councillor Hettie Peters recently lied when she claimed that she had resigned from Hackney Council due to ill health; notes that Councillor Peters was disqualified from being a councillor at 12.05 pm on 17 December 1997 when she was declared bankrupt on a petition from Windsor Life Assurance Company Limited for a judgement debt for rent arrears and breach of covenant; notes that under section 92 of the Local Government Act 1972 it is a criminal offence for a disqualified person to attend council meetings as a councillor; condemns Ms Peters for unlawfully attending three council meetings, three meetings of the Policy and Resources Committee and two meetings of the Social Services Committee when not a councillor and regrets that she was given access to confidential papers; deplores the fact that Ms Peters unlawfully accepted expenses in the form of the basic allowance and that the Council unlawfully paid out these expenses for January and February; calls on the Chief Executive, Tony Elliston, to make a report as monitoring officer and to seek to recover the money of council tax payers unlawfully paid out; and is concerned that Ms Peters believes that if she can get discharged from bankruptcy she would be a fit person to stand again in local elections.

That this House regrets that Liberal Democrat Councillor Hettie Peters recently lied when she claimed that she had resigned from Hackney Council due to ill health; notes that Councillor Peters was disqualified from being a councillor at 12.05 pm on 17 December 1997 when she was declared bankrupt on a...

That this House deplores the attempt by Brent Conservative councillor Peter Golds OBE to strangle fellow Conservative councillor Jack Sayers following an argument about town twinning at Brent Town Hall on 27th October 1997 which resulted in Councillor Sayers receiving medical treatment for the injuries he sustained; notes that Councillor Peter Golds was honoured for 'political services' and that his violent behaviour is but the latest disgraceful example of yobbish and thuggish behaviour by Brent Conservative councillors; and calls upon the Conservative Party to expel Councillor Golds from membership and to hold an inquiry into the behaviour of the Brench Conservative group.

That this House deplores the attempt by Brent Conservative councillor Peter Golds OBE to strangle fellow Conservative councillor Jack Sayers following an argument about town twinning at Brent Town Hall on 27th October 1997 which resulted in Councillor Sayers receiving medical treatment for the injuries he sustained; notes that Councillor...

That this House congratulates the record number of Labour councillors elected on 4th May and, in particular, the 1799 new Labour councillors elected in seats gained and those Labour councillors elected in the 42 councils where Labour gained control; and notes that with 48 per cent. of the vote this was Labour's best ever Local Government result and that Labour now has more seats than the Tories and Liberal Democrats put together and that while the Tory vote fell to its lowest level, the Liberal Democrats also saw their share of the vote fall by 4 per cent. from 1994 giving a clear message from the public across the whole country of their trust in and support for Labour councils at the local level and the quality of services they provide and their belief that, at national level, only Labour offers the hope of a real and viable alternative to this discredited and untrustworthy Tory Government.

That this House congratulates the record number of Labour councillors elected on 4th May and, in particular, the 1799 new Labour councillors elected in seats gained and those Labour councillors elected in the 42 councils where Labour gained control; and notes that with 48 per cent. of the vote this...

That this House recalls that on 3rd March 1994, commenting on the action of a Labour councillor who took part in an estimates meeting while in arrears with his council tax, Councillor Ronald Smith, the leader of the Conservative Group in Sunderland City Council said, 'I think it is absolutely deplorable. To think that he has the audacity to sit on committees and give his view on finances and he's sitting there in arrears. I think it is appalling that he should do that and it is appalling for the leader of his group to allow him to do it. If it was a member of the public, his feet wouldn't touch the ground and they would be exposed, and I see no reason why he shouldn't be exposed...even more so'; is, therefore, surprised to learn that on 22nd June 1992 Councillor Smith was summoned to appear before Sunderland magistrates for non-payment of ??673.35 in respect of non-domestic rates owing on 5 Albion Place, Sunderland; further notes that Councillor Smith took part in the estimates meeting on 11th March 1992, while in arrears; also notes that it is an offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act to take part in council business relating to finance while in arrears of domestic rates; regrets that this section does not apply to non-domestic rates and believes that this loophole should be closed; and finally notes that the Labour group suspended for six months the offending Labour councillor and invites the Conservative Group to do likewise with Councillor Smith.

That this House recalls that on 3rd March 1994, commenting on the action of a Labour councillor who took part in an estimates meeting while in arrears with his council tax, Councillor Ronald Smith, the leader of the Conservative Group in Sunderland City Council said, 'I think it is absolutely...

That this House calls on Westminster Conservative councillors to explain why schemes in an environmental project called Quality of Life were, according to internal Tory documents, to be targeted as far as possible into eight marginal wards in Westminster; notes that this targeting was part of the so-called Building Stable Communities strategy whose aim was to gerrymander the 1990 local elections; further notes that the councillor in charge of the Quality of Life project was Miles Young, currently the Leader of Westminster Council; calls on him to explain why in 1987 he put forward proposals that were subsequently implemented for the unlawful targeting of environmental and enforcement spending in the marginal wards, his role in the eviction of homeless young people from the Ambrosden Hostel in his marginal ward of Victoria and its subsequent sale to developers at ??2 million below its market value as part of the gerrymandering strategy and his role in co-ordinating unlawful party political publicity expenditure by the council through the so-called BSC Communications Strategy; and also calls on Robert Davis, the current Chair of the Planning Committee in Westminster, to explain why he wrote a paper in 1987 advocating that planning enforcement resources should, in line with BSC strategy, be concentrated in target marginal wards to ensure that the right type of homes are provided bringing with it the right sort of voters.

That this House calls on Westminster Conservative councillors to explain why schemes in an environmental project called Quality of Life were, according to internal Tory documents, to be targeted as far as possible into eight marginal wards in Westminster; notes that this targeting was part of the so-called Building Stable...

That this House applauds the action of the Liberal Democrats' London Region in issuing an ultimatum to the Liberal Democrat councillors in Tower Hamlets to accept the findings of the internal party inquiry which found that Focus leaflets pandered to racism; but regrets that purposeful action to root out racism in the Liberal Democrats has been dismissed by the Liberal Democrat Lancashire County Councillor, Tony Greaves, as 'political correctness'.

That this House applauds the action of the Liberal Democrats' London Region in issuing an ultimatum to the Liberal Democrat councillors in Tower Hamlets to accept the findings of the internal party inquiry which found that Focus leaflets pandered to racism; but regrets that purposeful action to root out racism...

That this House notes that the Liberal Democrat leadership has still not expelled the two Party activists condemned by the Liberal Democrats' own inquiry of 'pandering to racism' in Tower Hamlets; notes with interest a letter from two Liberal Democrat councillors, Councillor Sally Prentice (Vauxhall) and Councillor Steve Gauge (Southwark), to the Liberal Democrat News in which they deplored the fact that 'as Liberal Democrat Members of Parliament, councillors and party members, we continually call for tough action to tackle injustice and maladministration, yet we are incapable of taking action within our own party'; observes that the two councillors go on to claim that the Party's 'failure to act gave the impression that "party unity" in Tower Hamlets was more important than taking action to root out racism'; welcomes the fact that at least some Liberal Democrats are not prepared to follow their Party's leadership and turn a blind eye to the Liberal Democrats' consistently unacceptable and offensive campaigning tactics; and calls upon the Right honourable Member for Yeovil and his hypocritical Party to clean up their act.

That this House notes that the Liberal Democrat leadership has still not expelled the two Party activists condemned by the Liberal Democrats' own inquiry of 'pandering to racism' in Tower Hamlets; notes with interest a letter from two Liberal Democrat councillors, Councillor Sally Prentice (Vauxhall) and Councillor Steve Gauge (Southwark),...

That this House congratulates Mr Albert Annett, Chairman of the Planning Committee of Medina District Council on the Isle of Wight, for resigning from the Tory group in protest against what he calls 'unacceptable pressure' from freemasons; wonders why the Government's alleged commitment to openness has not so far extended to obliging disclosure from freemasons who are public servants; notes with satisfaction that, in the absence of Government action, an increasing number of local authorities are making freemasonry a declarable interest; and hopes that others will do so, particularly in the Isle of Wight.

That this House congratulates Mr Albert Annett, Chairman of the Planning Committee of Medina District Council on the Isle of Wight, for resigning from the Tory group in protest against what he calls 'unacceptable pressure' from freemasons; wonders why the Government's alleged commitment to openness has not so far extended...

That this House welcomes the election of Councillor Margaret Singh of Reading District Councils on 21st July as the new Chair of the Association of District Councils; recalls that on 21st June Councillor Dennis Pettitt of Nottinghamshire County Council was elected Chair of the Association of County Councils and that Councillor Jeremy Beecham of Newcastle City Council was re-elected as Chair of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities on 17th June; notes that for the first time in local government history, all three major local authority associations are now headed by councillors from the Labour Party; endorses the view of the honourable Member for Blackburn that 'The Conservatives are now an endangered species in the local government'; considers that Labour in local government best represents the concerns and needs of local people; and wishes the three chairs well in their terms of office.

That this House welcomes the election of Councillor Margaret Singh of Reading District Councils on 21st July as the new Chair of the Association of District Councils; recalls that on 21st June Councillor Dennis Pettitt of Nottinghamshire County Council was elected Chair of the Association of County Councils and that...