Plea to save council duo

RESIDENTS were said to be up in arms about the de-selection of prominent Labour councillors from the next election. Last week, the POST revealed that Cllrs Fred Barns and Joan Rawlinson were not shortlisted for the forthcoming council elections in 2010.

RESIDENTS were said to be 'up in arms' about the de-selection of prominent Labour councillors from the next election.

Last week, the POST revealed that Cllrs Fred Barns and Joan Rawlinson were not shortlisted for the forthcoming council elections in 2010.

Cllr Val Rush was also said to not having been listed.

According to a Labour Party spokesperson, some councillors had not met the required standard at their initial interview in a party internal selection process, but had the possibility to appeal.

Now residents are hitting back at Labour Party decision makers by drawing up petitions in support of their councillors.

Mickey Lincoln, chairman of Barking and Dagenham Tenants' Federation, said: "We will be running a joint petition for Cllr Rawlinson and Cllr Barns within days.

"I think it's very unfair for both councillors to be de-selected on such minor details. It's an absolute farce.

"One of the reasons for Cllr Rawlinson's de-selection is that apparently, she only works in Scrattons Farm but I have done a lot of work with her not only in our area but in other parts of the ward.

Julie Munroe, of the great Fleet Residents Management Company, said: "Cllr Barns was de-selected because of his disability.

"Apparently he can't campaign. In the last seven years, it has not made a difference.

"That's discrimination under the Disability Act.

"The residents are up in arms.

"If we don't get Fred as councillor we won't get anything done here.

"We have got an extremely efficient councillor.

Both Ms Munroe and Mr Lincoln agree that the process should involve the public.