10/09/2026
Yesterday , we saw the Green Party in Leeds tearing itself apart.
Deputy Leader Cllr Mothin Ali has publicly criticised newly elected Green councillors for not understanding the council’s constitution and legislation, after being elected for over 5 months now, while claiming that he was there to educate them.
Yet at the same time, a highly experienced and professional councillor, Cllr Ed Carlisle, was removed from his role as scrutiny board chair after disagreeing with Cllr Ali.
So much for respecting different opinions.
A Green Cllr claimed, the democratic vote to remove Cllr Carlisle only included a select few and not everyone was invited to take part in the democratic process.
Politics is supposed to be about debate, scrutiny and representing the communities who elected us — not removing people simply because they challenge the leadership.
We may strongly disagree with the Green Party on many political issues, but there is one thing I will always respect: any councillor who puts themselves forward, knocks on doors and stands up for their community deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
What we are witnessing in Leeds looks less like effective political leadership and more like internal division, infighting and self-destruction.
The people of Leeds deserve better.
They deserve councillors who can disagree without trying to silence each other.
They deserve leadership that listens.
And above all, they deserve elected representatives who put their communities before personal or political disputes.
Leeds deserves better than this.