McCabe returns as Labour group leader

Eric Baxter • Published 5 Jul 2011 12:00 25 Comments

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COUNCILLOR Stephen McCabe is to resume his role as leader of Inverclyde Council's Labour group.

He takes over from Councillor Iain McKenzie, who was elected last week as Inverclyde's new MP.

Mr McKenzie held the leader's job from February. He will continue as a councillor until next May's council elections, but will not take any councillor's pay.

Mr McCabe, right, had been leader from May 2007 until February, when he resigned to spend more time with his family.

He said today: "When I resigned in February I had hoped to return as group and council leader at some point in the future. Obviously due to the tragic loss of our colleague David Cairns MP, my return has been somewhat sooner than I had anticipated."

Mr McCabe will be the ruling administration's nominee to replace Councillor McKenzie as council leader at a special council meeting to be held during August at a date to be confirmed.

Labour group chairperson, Councillor Joe McIlwee, said: "I would like to thank Iain for his work as group and council leader during the last five months and to wish him well as he takes on the role of Member of Parliament for Inverclyde.

"I am sure he will prove a worthy successor to David Cairns.

"I would also like to congratulate Stephen on his re-appointment as Labour group leader.

"He led the group with distinction for nearly four years and his colleagues feel that he is the right man to lead us in the remaining 10 months of this council term."

Councillor Gerry Dorrian has been appointed as Labour group secretary/whip to replace Councillor McCabe, and Councillor Terry Loughran replaces Councillor Dorrian as vice chair.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 05 Jul 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

ECCOSAIS
127 posts
Jul 5, 12:09
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OH NO! here we go again! hope he doesn't mind giving up his "free time" to talk to inverclyders this time around!

As another "reader" commented - "the bland leading the blind"!!!

Recommend? Yes 36 No 3
joanmcdade
32 posts
Jul 5, 12:23
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Nai talent so only 1 of two people could lead this party

Recommend? Yes 10 No 5
Tiddles
1077 posts
Jul 5, 14:27
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The sooner next year's election come around the better.

Recommend? Yes 29 No 3
WeeJockW
676 posts
Jul 5, 15:00
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"Mr McCabe, right, had been leader from May 2007 until February, when he resigned to spend more time with his family". Hows that for loyalty?

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DavidK
61 posts
Jul 5, 15:38
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Stephen I'm sure will do his best and I have always found approachable.

Recommend? Yes 3 No 33
WeeJockW
676 posts
Jul 5, 16:17
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Personally I have grave concerns over someone who quits a post to spend more time with their family and then a few years down the line, quits the family to take up his old post. Where's the commitment he expressed when he stepped down to spend more time with his family.

Recommend? Yes 30 No 3
ECCOSAIS
127 posts
Jul 5, 18:27
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@ Tiddles + @ WeeJockW - yet another to join/lead the "Adams Family" ! but I think McCabe should be known as the "elusive pimpernel" never known to answer a direct question and basically grudges his "spare" time responding to Inverclyders! So one would ask - WHY? take up the role? and spend travelling time from Kilmacolm? a definitely NOT Labour area? As I've said before its all very well voting Labour when you are rich!

Recommend? Yes 31 No 3
myfindhorn
278 posts
Jul 5, 18:49
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Right God we need talk time here, WHAT DID WE EVER DO TO GET

THE BOLD DUNCAN,

WHO THINKS HE IS GOD , hear him but can,t see him ( who sups with ? )

IAIN McKENSIE

THE UNDERTAKER ( who at least tries ) and gets you in the end

STEVEN McCABE

( elusive pimpernel ) who we shall see......maybe

A seller A buyer and a profiteer what did I say.......Oh aye jobs for the boys, go to a council meeting and watch the puppet show.

Recommend? Yes 33 No 2
buchananstreet
8 posts
Jul 6, 01:49
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send the lot of them on e first tall ship out of greenock a bunch of pirates every one of them.well lets mention the failure of the councils recycling programme just released by SEPA, INVERCLYDE in the top six worst recyclers,maybe if the council reduced their charges we,d be able to recycle more a absolute disgrace £54.90 per 1/2a ton they should hang their heads in shame,little wonder there is so much trash dumped illegally,mr mckenzie were is the stockpile you said there was or is that another lie,must be SEPA dont tell lies do they!!!!

Recommend? Yes 9 No 1
ECCOSAIS
127 posts
Jul 6, 12:24
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McCabe returns to the "Adams" family! must've had enough "quality" family time or perhaps he was struggling to get by on just the one wage!

Recommend? Yes 26 No 1
Tiddles
1077 posts
Jul 6, 17:17
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Sounds more like desperation on the part of Inverclyde Labour. Will this be your last comeback Stephen or are you planning more when you all get gubbed in next year's election?

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WeeJockW
676 posts
Jul 6, 17:25
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Conversation in the McCabe family household, prior to his return as leader.

Where's daddy mummy, he's just popped off to save Inverclyde in the guise of his alter ego, "The Elusive Pimpernel" Oh wow mummy, my daddies a superhero.

No he's the leader of the local councils labour party. Oh does that mean we're doomed then. No not quite there's still a lot for him to mess up long before we're doomed.

Recommend? Yes 17 No 1
jimwatson
16 posts
Jul 6, 20:49
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It is always very easy to hide behind internet nom-de-plumes and attack an individual. Politically I have many disagreements with the uber-brit (who has been known to admit to being a republilcan) labour council leader but feeble personal attacks on his character and his family life are just pathetic.

Recommend? Yes 15 No 20
ECCOSAIS
127 posts
Jul 6, 21:36
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@JimWatson - "feeble personal attacks"? NO - they most definitely are NOT feeble!

Mr McCabe has enough inbuilt arrogance to withstand, and not even cause a slight dent! I can assure you.

He has written/said that he is "fed up" dealing with people like me ! and assured me that I was not the only one! so ???? why spend time in a community minded job?

He does not answer or respond to questions!

One minute he resigns as council leader - and 5 months later is back!

When one takes on a role in public domain - then he must take the good with the bad and be open to comments / criticism about his behaviour and actions!

When one casts the first stone - then he must accept it being thrown back!

Perhaps YOU can tell me one thing just one! that the Labour council has done in the past 10 years for Gourock? as I'm still waiting on that answer from Mr McCabe which I asked 2008! (No-one else has been able to answer either!) Gourock contributes a vast amount of council tax and does not get anything back!

Perhaps HE will get the finger out and have the "promised" CCTV installed in Gourock Park! ? ! that would be a start!

Recommend? Yes 24 No 1
jimwatson
16 posts
Jul 6, 23:09
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@eccosais

Not being a labour supporter then I would find it very difficult to tell you one thing that they have done for Gourock even though I also live here. (New schools would be my answer if I was an elected member or a member of the labour party, refurbishment fo the Gourock pool being another...).

If you want to attack the good Comrade for lack of transparency and accountability then that is fair enough. However for people to make up "family conversations" and attack him "for having just one wage" I think goes beyond the pale. As an "ordinary" Councillor he would still be picking up his allowance so the point you make is, at best incorrect and, at worst, deliberately misleading.

Comments and criticisms about his behaviour and actions, or lack thereof, are fair game. However, indulging in personal attacks and showing a profound disrespect for the integrity of elected mebers debases the debate and is not constructive. I think that this meets the definition of feeble.

Recommend? Yes 9 No 18
ECCOSAIS
127 posts
Jul 7, 10:41
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@ JimWatson - I was taught "RESPECT" at an early age - and was told that YOU had to earn it! it was not a God given right! AND respect doesn't come easy!

Not one of the Labourites have done anything positive for this area, nor have their dialogues impressed me at all! so therefore NO RESPECT!

Just because a lot of sheep voted for them without any real consideration! AND because their family have voted for them for years! does not mean that they have done much, if anything for the whole of Inverclyde! The Labour party have taken for granted the vote in this area AND do not need to work/earn or do anything for it!

A "comfy" seat for McKenzie and McCabe's lot it may be for the moment but don't get too settled - your day is coming!

Ps is there anybody "employed" by the Labour party to take down the signs that are still hanging on the lamp posts in Gourock? as usual last to react or action!

Recommend? Yes 22 No 1
Graeme40
10 posts
Jul 7, 12:33
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Now this says a lot obout this guy.... so much for his family,......typical Labour.... all self obsessed with them selfs and DO NOTHING for this area but line their own pockets with Councilers pay.....

Recommend? Yes 10 No 1
WeeJockW
676 posts
Jul 7, 14:20
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@jimwatson, When councillor McCabe stepped down as labour council leader HE played heavly on the fact that it was to spend more time with his family and good on him. However no sooner had he resigned than he's back in the same position, to me that means LACK of commitment in one area of his life, if he shows that same lack of commitment on the council then he's fair game, as the banter of the family conversation shows.

As for the new schools built by PPP or in it's other guise PPI, with these schools being paid for over the course of the next 25-30yrs, do we know what the true costs are going to be. Although PPI was set up so that the private sector took up more of the risk, at the end of the day they will want a return on their investment and how much will that cost.

"showing a profound disrespect for the integrity of elected mebers debases the debate and is not constructive. I think that this meets the definition of feeble." Respect is NOT a god given right that those entering public office acquire as a matter of fact. RESPECT is something that has to be earned. Integrity comes in many shapes and form, councillor McCabe showed a lack of same when he decided he spent enough family time and returned to his former post.

To sum up, yes personal thoughts have been expressed re elected officials and fun poked at them, but better a bit of fun than something more serious.

Recommend? Yes 20 No 1
Tiddles
1077 posts
Jul 7, 20:14
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I fear a simple comment, albiet in a thrown away kind of context has shown Jim Watson in a negative light. Let me say the the same J Watson is one of Inverclyde's best sons. He can be annoying, infuriating and downright disturbing, but the wee ex-Wrenie lad has the heart of a dozen councilliors and more. Let's not quibble with him, let us when required question him but do NOT call his true values into doubt. He is a Socialist and one of a dying breed that right thinking people should nurture. I say this as a, 'running dog capitalsist' lackey but thank God for Jim and those who think like him. Sorry followers if this offends but I feel strongly on this one!

Recommend? Yes 21 No 0
Idoubtit
132 posts
Jul 10, 10:22
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I wish him the best of luck, we need somebody competent and he seems to be the best we have. It's not a job anyone could envy, the report confirmed how ineffective it is compared to other councils.

It strikes me if the man said he must devote time to his family, there may be a serious reason for that. I don't know his situation. But if that is the case, then he is right to be realistic about his capacity. Plenty would take the money and quietly let the community down. He's been up front and is not going to do that. He is doing the community a service by stepping up at all, if he has personal circumstances which make it difficult.

Recommend? Yes 4 No 5
jimwatson
16 posts
Jul 10, 11:47
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@Tiddles Thanks for the hagiography,not only did it make me smile but actually drew out a rip roaring laugh as well. I must buy you a beer the next time we meet, except in an ironic twist to my original post I have no clue who you are, or if indeed you drink beer!

As for "right thinking people nurturing" - big no thanks. As an unreconstructed leftie I cannot abide "right thinking" people....lolol!

@weeJockW I agree that PPP/PPI is not an ideal solution to funding large capital projects. Although the risk is nominally transfered to the private sector it is they who reap the rewards over a long period of time. However, the question posed was not about the economics of projects but to merely list ONE thing that the labour council has done for Gourock..

Recommend? Yes 26 No 2
mcfaddenjim
3 posts
Jul 11, 11:25
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WHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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wallace1297
117 posts
Jul 12, 01:07
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To say that it is unfair for folk hiding behind non-de-plumes when expressing their thoughts on the council's illustrious leader cllr McCabe, some people may suggest that he has allegedly being doing the same for years writing in under his comrades (sorry colleague's) names. You only need to attend a meeting with one of the councillor's colleagues to know that half the comments we read about do not actually come from them.

Recommend? Yes 3 No 4
neildavid
29 posts
Jul 15, 10:32
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I cant understand way a few people attack a democratically elected person, Labour in this case, when the rest of Scotland, voted for the New CONservatve regime, with a little help from The Media Mongrill Anti-Christ Rupert Murdochs Beano,M.M.A-C. R.M, now the 1st Laird of Scotland, with Demon-mockery, (there something Fishy going on there). DD. Lambourn, Royal Berkshire, Great Britian, The United Kingdom. dropped Murdochsville. An a Lily Allen, tothat cabal. back to my hobby, a small flutter today. all favs, or close. Ticked Pink, 1.55, Newbury, Whispered, 4.55. Nottingham. Vital Gold. 6.35. Parvana, 7.05, (both) Pontefract. .........DD.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
lambini
19 posts
Jul 18, 12:39
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Weird that Mr McCabe stood down just at the time when the Herald were reporting the shambles of the IT project that was run on his watch.Link here : http://bit.ly/fLOT2T

Now that the heat has gone he's back in the frame?

Hopefully the voters will treat the ruling Labour group with the same level of contempt in 2012.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 0

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