Peace requires more than Gesture Politics

Green Group Leader, Councillor Joanna Wright, has joined other B&NES Leaders in signing a statement on behalf of the Council expressing sympathies for those affected by the Palestine-Israel conflict across the Bath and North East Somerset area. The Green Group however have sought a “Peace Motion” twice, in November 2023 and again at today’s full Council meeting (March 2024), which were ruled “out of order” and “not relevant” by the Chair of B&NES Council.

Today’s statement calls for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful resolution. It urges the release of hostages, aid delivery, and condemns antisemitic and Islamophobic violence. However, because it is a statement and not a motion to council, the statement cannot be sent from all councillors because it has not been debated and voted for at full Council.

The Green group notes that several UK authorities, including Burnley, Sheffield, Liverpool, have passed ceasefire motions. B&NES neighbours, Somerset Council and North Somerset Council, have also. While the Green group recognises the council’s limitations, it urges B&NES to do as much as it can.

Councillor Joanna Wright highlights, 

“Residents are urging us to communicate with the Prime Minister and Secretary of State, emphasising the urgent need for a ceasefire in the Middle East. This request stems not only from the economic impact of the conflict on our community but, more importantly, from our shared humanity. As humans we are seeing great suffering, the suffering mostly of women and children on both sides of the conflict that is causing death, destruction, and starvation.

“The Green Group motion was clearer in its actions which included writing to government. This statement has no teeth because it does not call for the Council to write to the government and demand action be taken.”

The Green Group acknowledges the inconsistency in the Council dealings with international issues, for instance on the 25^th March 2022, the Council passed the following motion regarding Ukrainian Refugee, that agreed:

“A further letter be sent to both the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary repeating this Council’s willingness to welcome Ukrainian people fleeing war and persecution in their own country and urging the UK government to act to ensure that the UK does all it can to help alleviate this humanitarian crisis.”

(available here, https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/documents/s70845/Labour%20Motion%20-%20Ukrainian%20Refugees.pdf )

And today, when asked about the friendship agreement with the City of Oleksandriya in Ukraine, the Leader of the council stated that there has been regularly communicating with Mayor Kuzmenko to find ways to collaborate. Broadlands School in Keynsham has connected with a school in Oleksandriya to exchange cultures. Additionally, the friends of Oleksandriya have been linked to Bath University’s Director of Sport to establish sports connections. To commemorate the second anniversary of the conflict, B&NES held a music event at the Abbey and a party at the Guildhall. The council also flew the flags of Oleksandriya and Ukraine over the Guildhall and illuminated Pulteney Bridge with Ukrainian colours to show our support.

The Green group questions why B&NES Council hasn’t taken tangible steps towards a Peace Motion. Councillor Joanna Wright stated that:

“We live in serious times, and this requires that we step up our Leadership at a local level. I urge you Chair and Deputy Chair to reconsider your position on the Peace Motion sent to you by the Green Group and ensure that it is tabled at the next Full Council, showing clearly that the statement that you and all political group leaders have made tonight is more than gesture politics.”

To read in Full cllr Joanna Wright’s Statement made at Full council on 14th March 2024 see below

The Green Group tabled a motion for Peace to be debated at this Full Council.

This motion was rejected and we were told it was “Out of Order”.

The Greens were told that “Motions must be about matters for which Bath & North East Somerset Council has a responsibility or which affect the Council, its functions, its area or part of it or the inhabitants of that area or part of it.”

In 1.5 of the B&NES constitution, it states “Political Groups represent their communities and bring their views into the Council’s decision-making process i.e. become the spokesperson of and for their communities”

Tonight, we have heard from many local residents about why the Motion for Peace matters to them. In my opinion, this Council has failed in its function of responsibility to its inhabitants.

Last week I visited the newly opened Keynsham Recycling Depot and asked questions to Officers about the cost of buying and selling the waste generated by our residents. It was clearly stated that the prices B&NES has to calculate are affected by the volatile market which presently is being affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

Again, it’s clear that the ‘Out of Order’ Motion relates directly to a matter for which the B&NES council holds direct responsibility – rubbish and the cost of it.  Or am I missing the point of spending £34 million on a new recycling centre and the work that it undertakes?

We all know that local democracy is the grassroots of all that we do in society, that’s why we are councillors. It would appear that all political groups support the government to deliver devolved power to give citizens more powers to ensure that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.

And our role is to ensure that the voices of local people are heard. 

Residents are urging us to communicate with the Prime Minister and Secretary of State, emphasising the urgent need for a ceasefire in the Middle East. This request stems not only from the economic impact of the conflict on our community but, more importantly, from our shared humanity. As humans we are seeing great suffering, the suffering mostly of women and children on both sides of the conflict that is causing death, destruction and starvation.

Our humanity as councillors is not an economic equation alone, our humanity as councillors is to ensure that a message of solidarity is sent out loud and clear that it is unacceptable to as the UN Resolution 3318 states:

“Attacking and bombing the civilian population,  inflicting incalculable suffering, especially on women and children, who are the most vulnerable members of the population, shall be prohibited, and such acts shall be condemned.”

Other councils in the UK, like Burnley, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bradford, Oxford, Midlothian, Preston, Aberdeen, and Kirklees, haven’t just talked about the conflict in Gaza, they have acted by passing motions.

We live in serious times and this requires that we step up our Leadership at a local level. I urge you Chair and Deputy Chair to reconsider your position on the Peace Motion sent to you by the Green Group and ensure that it is tabled at the next Full Counci clearly showing that the statement that you and all political group leaders have made tonight is more than gesture politics.