4:24pm Thursday 26th November 2009
By Sarah Cosgrove
TWO cabinet members have ruled themselves out of the contest to replace council leader Mike Freer.
Councillor Freer resigned late yesterday afternoon to concentrate on his campaign to become the next MP for the marginal seat of Finchley and Golders Green.
Cabinet member for public health, Cllr Helena Hart and Cllr Richard Cornelius, who has responsibility for community services have both said they will definitely not be standing for the leadership once Cllr Freer steps down next month.
Cllr Cornelius said: “No I will not be running for leader. Cllr Freer was a real class act.”
Cllr Hart, cabinet member for health's answer to the question was a resounding: “Good grief no”
“You need very special qualities to be a leader. Mike Freer has those qualities. There is absolutely no way I would go for it.
“I've every confidence that whoever we choose will be a very fine leader as Mike has been.”
Paying tribute to Cllr Freer, she said: “I think he's been a superb leader. I think he's progressed the reputation of Barnet Council leaps and bounds and I think he'll be an excellent MP for Finchley and Golders Green.
Cllr Hart, who is a voter in that constituency, said she thought Cllr Freer was in with a strong chance of winning the seat but said that nobody would take anything for granted.
She added: “Mike is a worker and will lead from the front.”
Cllr Hart said the best thing about Cllr Freer's time as leader of the council was that it moved from a two star council to a four star council and had won several local authority awards.
Deputy leader Cllr Lynne Hillan is in a strong position to step up to the top job.
She has so far been unavailable for comment.
Which Conservative councillor would you like to see as council leader? Which do you think will get the job? Leave your comment in the box below.
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