News / Politics
Rees: ‘The quality of political discourse in the chamber dismays me’
Marvin Rees has responded to the letter written by three opposition party group leaders, accusing him of “rank hypocrisy”.
In his fortnightly press conference, the mayor said: “The quality of political discourse in the chamber dismays me.
“Is anyone going to say that the political discourse we have is uplifting or enlightening? That’s why I said it’s disheartening.”
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In a member forum meeting at City Hall, Rees had said that his “heart often sinks” when he sees Green Party councillor Carla Denyer’s name, and that the way which she does politics is “demoralising”.
His comments led to a joint letter written by Jos Clark, Mark Weston and Paula O’Rourke in which they said that he was “cheapening the political discourse of Bristol.”
The mayor made comments about Denyer during at a member forum meeting at City Hall.
Afterwards, Denyer said that Rees seems to “resent councillors – or even residents – who ask him to take decisive action, or express a clear position, on issues related to the climate crisis”.
Denyer has also criticised Rees’ action on the expansion of Bristol Airport.
The councillor for Clifton Down and national Green Party leadership candidate said the airport’s net-zero plans are “misleading” due to the fact they do not include aeroplane emissions.
On whether he agreed that plans were misleading, Rees said: “The point is to encourage any organisation who looks to decarbonise itself.
“The airport isn’t going anywhere. Any drive they make as an organisation to decarbonise we need to encourage and support.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Opposition leaders unite to accuse Rees of ‘rank hypocrisy’
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