Council slams comparison to Hitler in free speech row
Independent Cllr Alastair Chambers compared the council's decision to limit questions to 1933 Germany
Last updated 6th Oct 2022
Gloucester City Council's decision to limit the amount of questions councillors can ask in meetings has been compared to Adolf Hitler's 1933 Enabling Act.
The Independent Councillor for Matson, Robinswood and White City, Alastair Chambers says the move would silence the most deprived people in Gloucester and reminds him of laws implemented in 1930s Germany.
“The people of Matson, White City and Coney Hill are the most deprived people in our city and county. You are silencing these people. Only five people from a ward of 6,500 gets to ask a question. It’s not acceptable.
“We’ve been elected here as members to come here to ask questions of the council and have that right to represent our residents. What worries me is it’s similar to the constitution being changed in 1933 Germany. When the chancellor Adolf Hitler brought in the enabling act.
“He changed the constitution to suit his party. The most deprived areas were not given the opportunity to speak out against the Reich.”
"Ludicrous" and "Offensive" allegations
In response to these claims Gloucester City Council stated, "the statement is so ludicrous and offensive the City Council will not dignify it with any further response."
The Conservative leadership had already faced criticism last year when it banned the public from putting oral questions to meetings. Those wishing to ask civic leaders a question, must instead submit them in writing several days before. This restriction was also imposed on councillors.
Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Jeremy Hilton says he did warn the authority that these were unrealistic implementations, stating “Once again, the Lib Dem group was right. You didn’t listen and now you’re trying to amend the way the written questions are working.”
Adding that he would reinstate the previous system of questioning if the Liberal Democrats gain control of the City council. However, they would not oppose the current proposals.
Further opposition to the policy was provided by Labour group leader Terry Pullen, who believes the whole issue should've been avoided.
“Verbal questions were working. What’s the problem? Why don’t you just admit you don’t want us to ask you any questions at all?”
More concise questions
Defending his policy, Conservative Councillor Gordon Taylor says the changes are sensible, “The key recommendations are for members of the public; it has been made clear what they can and can’t ask questions about.
“And also to allow officers to make sure questions are concise."
The council voted to approve the constitutional changes with the exception of Cllr Chambers who voted against.
The Enabling Act of 1933
The Enabling Act of 1933 allowed the German Reich to issue laws without needing to go through Germany's parliament. This allowed for the Nazification of German Society and according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia was the "cornerstone of Hitler's dictatorship".
To make sure the act was passed the Nazi Party stopped all 81 Communists and 26 of the 120 Social Democrats from taking their seats, placing them in Nazi- controlled camps.