Labour votes against Lib Dem call to stop the HDV

Haringey Labour councillors failed to take an opportunity to stop the controversial Haringey Development Vehicle (HDV) at an extraordinary meeting called by the Haringey Liberal Democrats last night.

Your local Lib Dems put forward a motion to stop the scheme immediately, with all councillors given a chance to vote on whether to support or reject ending the project now.

Despite calls from a large number of Labour councillors to stop the HDV leading up to the meeting, all united behind an amendment put forward by Haringey Labour Leader, Cllr Claire Kober, and voted unanimously to defer a decision on the HDV until after the local elections, keeping the high-profile scheme alive.

The decision opens the door for the Labour administration to sign off on the HDV in the three week window between the local elections on 3 May and new councillors taking their posts on 24 May, leaving residents still fearful of what might happen to their homes and businesses.

With the meeting resulting in no change for the HDV, we will continue the fight for the project to be stopped completely, and have recently set out our own plans for housing by investing an initial £148 million in building new council and affordable homes through a 100% council-owned housing company, with any profits reinvested back into the scheme.

Cllr Gail Engert, Leader of Haringey Liberal Democrats, comments:

“Labour have put the unity of their party ahead of the right decision for local residents and businesses.

“I just do not know how the Labour councillors opposed to the HDV will be able to look their constituents in the eye and explain why they failed to vote to end this reckless scheme. It is unforgivable.

“Labour had the opportunity to stop the HDV - they have said they want to stop the HDV, yet they have not had the guts to do it.”

Cllr Liz Morris, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, added:

“Sadly, when push came to shove, the Labour councillors left their principles at the door, and toed the party line, leaving the lives of thousands of local residents in limbo and the door open for the HDV to still go ahead.

“We have always said the HDV was a risk too big to take, and we will continue to fight on this.”

<hr/>