A LABOUR politician has accused the Tories of "eroding democracy" with proposals to limit speakers in council debates.

Councillor Alison Moore, leader of the Labour group on Barnet Council, said it was the latest in a series of measures introduced by the Conservative administration.

She said: “The Barnet Tories have been eroding local democracy year by year – they have reduced the ability of residents to speak at planning committees, reduced the ability of members of the public to put questions down at any committee and even tried to stop elected councillors on committees from asking questions by saying the subject is not on the agenda.

She launched her attack after Tory Councillor Brian Coleman proposed to restrict speeches at council meetings to the leaders of the two main parties and their representatives and only allow other councillors to speak at the discretion of the Mayor.

Cllr Moor said: “This is an outrageous attempt to stifle debate and something that Labour just won't support.

The proposals mean the three Liberal Democrats, led by Councillor Jack Cohen, would lose their automatic right to speak at council meetings.

Cllr Moore added: “There are only three Lib Dems on the council but they have just as much legitimacy as any other elected councillor, and should not have their rights to speak at council meetings eroded.”

The constitution review committee agreed that the plans should be considered by a further review committee before being put before the council, but they are likely to be voted through with Conservative backing.

Mayor of Barnet Councillor Anthony Finn told the committee that as there are so few Liberal Democrats they should not have an automatic right to speak.

Cllr Cohen said: “I take it as a compliment from Brian Coleman that he takes me as such a threat. Perhaps it's because our group has caught him out so many times.”

The plans are part of a wider review of the constitution that also includes proposals to remove comments on the work of the cabinet from the agenda of council meetings.

At the same meeting, councillors voted against proposals to allow the public to take part in focus groups on the future of scrutiny of the executive.