Labour-run Newham condemned for "glitzy" £18.7 million office refit

By Jonathan Isaby

The London Borough of Newham is a one-party state with a directly elected Labour Mayor and 60 Labour councillors.

It is also the UK's sixth most deprived borough, and the Labour administration there seems to have a skewed sense of priorities.

The BBC reports that the council has spent £18.7 million on swanky new offices which have just won an award for being an "outstanding transformational workplace environment" whose "innovative, lively and colourful design contributed to a dynamic environment".

Look at the BBC report for pictures of the offices, which the TaxPayers' Alliance have described as "a glitzy refit" akin to that which "you might expect of a five star hotel or a West End nightclub".

Local Government Minister Bob Neill said it showed Newham Councillors were "living the ultimate Champagne socialist lifestyle on the taxpayer".