Southwark Council’s scrutiny clout was called into question after Labour voted for their own members to fill key scrutiny positions on the council.

Opposition leader Anood Al-Samerai called on Labour councillors to “think about what is right for the whole of the council” ahead of councillors voting for the chair of the overview and scrutiny committee  and vice chair of planning.

Both roles went to Labour councillors.

She said when the Liberal Democrats ran the council, the scrutiny roles went to the opposition.

“I don’t think anyone is going into this without the best of intentions.

“But I do think sometimes there is a danger that those intentions get carried in to complacency.

“I know the Labour group spent time working out their roles. I think it’s really important people take a step back and think about what is right for the whole of the council.”

“I really hope by next year we think about what is right for general democracy rather than what is right for just the Labour group.

“I urge labour voters to vote for the  Lib-Dem nominees but if they don’t then I really hope we can have a sensible debate about what is best for democracy in this borough.”

Ms Al-Samerai said the £17,000 of council taxpayers’ money former cabinet members Fiona Colley, Maisie Anderson and Mark Williams can claim in a loss of office payment, reported in the Southwark News, “wasn’t what this job is about.”

“I think there is a danger, that we have seen a little bit with the pay-off’s for cabinet members who are leaving that there is a certain desire to cling on to power or to get into power, and that isn’t what this job is about,” she said.

Ms Al-Samerai said it was important for the council to reflect the borough as a whole – including those who voted Conservative.

“It’s important that we recognise 10 per cent of people did vote for a party that is not on the council, that is a fault with our voting system, but it’s really important that we don’t get arrogant and complacent and think that we speak for everyone. We need to be engaging with all communities all the time and that is really important for me as a liberal,” she said.

Councillor Bill Williams was voted the chair of the overview and scrutiny committee, while Lorraine Lauder was voted vice chair of the planning committee.