Reaction: Blogs respond to resignaton

Following on from the furious outrage and controversy sparked by the Joint Area Review into Reading's social care, Labour's Lead Councillor for the directorate of Children's Services has resigned.

Cllr Ruhemann made the announcement during Monday's Cabinet meeting, preempting the cross-party motion of no confidence in his abilities which was set to be tabled at the next meeting of the full council.

Proposer Cllr Ballsdon (Con) was to be seconded by Cllr Bayes (LibDem) demonstrating the almost universal consensus of feeling spread across opposition benches. With Labour's current minority administration hanging by a thread this consensual alliance was certain to have passed the motion and would have resulted in his forcable removal from office in any event.

Cllr Ruhemann (who has been involved with the service for over 20 years) has claimed to be an innocent victim, scapegoated for partisan reasons. The offical verdict declared however that it was the result of systemic departmental failings which lead to the deaths of children under his stewardship and the budgetary decisions made by his party.

10 staff have also been disciplined following the review of the service and the focus of scrutiny will now inevitably turn to the Director of Children's Services, Anna Wright.

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Reaction to this stunning development has flooded in.

In the blogosphere, reaction has also been swift.

Richard Willis reacted immediately to echo the news.

For the LibDems, Redlands Councillor Kirsten Bayes provides all the relevant information on the matter.

This was followed by sensitive comments from Conservative councillors Emma Warman and Dave Luckett. Point scoring is reserved to Green party candidate Rob White and a mysterious outsider (who may or may not be a Conservative councillor in Swindon).

MuckspReading gives the alternative view, while Jane Griffiths opens up discussion into the tactical manoeuverings and behind-the-scenes gossip regarding Ruhemann's callous self-centred unrepentance and questions over whether a deal was done to remove him.

Reading Forum also has an open discussion thread.


Oranjepan says:
In this climate new questions must be asked about Labour's level of web presence in Reading - the lack of response on their site puts an ongoing side-discussion into sharp relief.

Update: It's good to see that someone is paying attention.

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For full coverage of the events which have rocked Reading since the death of Child T, go to the Special Report on Children's Services in Reading (see sidebar).