Oh how the mighty have fallen. The one time golden boy of the Labour Party has crashed and burned. In his wake he has exposed a tangled web private businesses running council services.
In my previous book I touched on the regimented nature of the political groups of the Council. What I underestimated was the magnificent system of patronage designed by the dearly departed Leader. Towards the end of my time in office, there was a rush to privatise Council departments. Culture & Leisure and a rash of other departments were removed from Council control and arms length companies were created to run them.
I was slightly bewildered; here was a Labour politician taking public sector departments into private ownership; even Margaret Thatcher would have been proud of him. I found myself, a businessman, in the position of rebel against the so-called left wing Labour Party.
From the outside this could look like jobs for the boys (and girls). By giving his colleagues well paid positions on the boards of these companies, he could ensure loyalty.