Ousted Moray Council co-leader Cllr Neil McLennan compares new Council structure to '1934 Germany'
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DURING a Council meeting yesterday (August 11), Councillor Neil McLennan was censured for comparing a proposed change to Moray Council's leadership structure to Germany in 1934.
Cllr McLennan, who was recently removed as co-leader of the Conservative administration group following a no-confidence vote, took aim at plans to merge the Convener and Leader roles at the Council.
Following his removal, Cllr McLennan left the Conservative Party and now sits as an independent.
The proposal, which councillors voted to accept, created a civic leader to deal with ceremonial and civic duties, a leader who would be the political head and also chair debates, and a new depute leader position.
Cllr McLennan spoke on parallels he saw between the new structure and other political arrangements.
He said: "The report is asking us to make the Council Leader the Convener.
"In effect, bring together the political head with the cross-chamber, hopefully independent, role of Convener.
"I guess, to draw some comparisons to reiterate the point, we certainly wouldn't have Boris Johnson also assuming the Speaker role in the House of Commons, it would be a clear conflict of interest.
"I am sure it would be a very concerning thought to many, for that to happen.
"Likewise, 1934 Germany, a dangerous precedent set when the role of Chancellor and President was put together."
An important milestone in the rise of the Nazi regime, 1934 was the year in which Adolf Hitler declared himself President, Chancellor and head of the army – following the death of President von Hindenburg.
Cllr McLennan's speech was curtailed by Council leader and Tory head Cllr Kathleen Robertson, who was chairing the meeting, after she received advice from Council legal advisor Aileen Scott.
Cllr Robertson said: "I am just taking advice that this is not relevant to the discussion and I am now going to ask Mrs Scott to come in."
Mrs Scott said: "I think my view would be that those were pretty emotive and inappropriate comparisons, bringing in Nazi Germany and the currently-troubled Conservative Government.
"What is proposed today is a change to how the Council is run, that is within the Council's remit.
"In the past the Council has had one leadership role and that is a perfectly appropriate proposal for the Council to consider.
"I would just ask you to think carefully about the kind of comments you are making.
"It is not particularly helpful."
