Jacob Rees-Mogg MP calls Sandwell Council 'totalitarian communist state' over tenancy clause

The authority is considering introducing a clause to council tenancy agreements that bans people inside council houses from using social media abusively towards council staff or contractors.

Opposition councillors and tenants have criticised the move as an attempt to stop legitimate housing complaints about the Labour-led council from being made.

The new clause reads: “You, people living with you and any visitors to your property must not use social media or any other form of communication to make false statements, abuse, threaten, harass or be derogatory towards council employees, contractors, agents or councillors.

“Communication includes telephone calls, text messages, e-mails or posting comments on social media. This condition applies wherever the communication takes place.”

Shaun Bailey MP, the Conservative MP for West Bromwich West, raised his concerns in the House of Commons after the consultation period over the proposed clause ended.

He said: “The rot in the Labour administration in Sandwell is continuing to pervade.

“Last month, we saw the botched attempt by the council to close a care home in Tipton. Then we saw the moonlight flit on Tuesday of the leader of the Labour party in Sandwell, and now we have the disgraceful edict from the Politburo - sorry, I mean the cabinet of Sandwell Council that if council tenants disagree with the council, they risk eviction from their home.

“I am sure my right honourable friend agrees that this is a disgraceful situation. Can we have a debate in government time about the shambles that is the Labour administration in Sandwell council?

“The opposition promised to deal with it. They have failed. Perhaps it is time for us to do something about it.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg, also a Conservative MP and Leader of the House of Commons, said: “I am appalled by what my honourable friend tells me. It is a very important point, and it is not the first time that the failings of Labour in Sandwell have been raised in this House.

“There is something rotten at the heart of many socialist councils, and I noticed his slip to refer to the Politburo, because there is sometimes a feeling of absolute control.

“What he raises today to limit freedom of speech is, I think, particularly troubling. Politicians must be, and must expect challenge, must expect people to disagree with them, must expect people to push hard and argue their points.

“To try and put in a council contract that you have to be polite about the council or you have to not say rude things about the council, sounds like the sort of thing that happens in totalitarian communist states, and not in the United Kingdom.

“I will pass on his concerns to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State.”

Mr Rees-Mogg, whose constituency is in Somerset, has previously criticised Sandwell Council in Parliament. In June he said police should be examining the workings of the authority over a controversial £20 million school transport contract

A spokesman for Sandwell Council said: “The consultation recently closed and we are currently reviewing all comments and suggestions. We will decide on the final wording once the review is complete.”

Last week council leader Rajbir Singh stood down after just six months in the role, leaving the authority needing its sixth different leader in three years. It is also currently recruiting a permanent chief executive.