Green Group Tried To Silence Her - Now This Councillor Faces Expulsion!

Right, so the Green Party debated whether Zionism is racism, put it to a vote, and adopted that position as party policy. Members had their say. Conference made its decision. But Norwich’s Green leadership has publicly opposed it. Shame on them, who knew they only felt that party policy and member led decisions were advisory, and now a Green councillor who played a significant role in getting that policy through, now reportedly faces being thrown out of the council group for the crime of defending it and challenging the seemingly rather obstinate leader over the position taken. Bliss Wylie co-proposed the motion and tabled the only friendly amendment accepted into it. She helped shape the position her party democratically adopted. Yet the Eastern Daily Press now reports a vote on her possible expulsion or suspension. So how has a Green administration ended up considering the removal of a councillor who is literally defending Green policy? Wylie was elected for Thorpe Hamlet in May, winning 1,622 votes, a majority of 510 over Labour. Before becoming a councillor, she worked as a Green Party organiser. Norwich Greens’ own profile lists her as the local party’s campaigns officer, an Eco socialist whose council priorities include housing and protecting the river. And there’s actual housing work behind that description. Reporting in August records Wylie supporting the principle of landlord licensing as scrutiny councillors backed progressing proposals towards consultation. She also stressed that any eventual decision needed proper evidence, consultation and an open mind. Supporting stronger protections for tenants while taking the decision-making process seriously. Hardly an unreasonable combination, is it? Very much what you’d want from your councillor surely?