Laurence Brass Must Resign As Chair of Herts Council

The statement in question originates from an online petition launched by the "Never Again Now" campaign on Change.org, calling for the resignation of Councillor Laurence Brass as Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council.  
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 It refers to events at a Full Council meeting on October 21, 2025, where a motion tied to a pro-Palestine petition was debated and passed by a narrow margin. Below, I'll break down the context, the motion itself, the vote, the accusations against Cllr Brass, his response, and the broader fallout, based on available reports.Background on the MotionThe motion stemmed from a public petition submitted by the Hertfordshire Palestine Support Coalition, which garnered over 1,500 signatures. It alleged that the council's pension fund held approximately £95 million in investments linked to companies complicit in human rights abuses against Palestinians—widely interpreted as a reference to firms associated with Israel, aligning with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.  
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 BDS is a global campaign advocating for economic pressure on Israel over its policies in the Palestinian territories, though critics often label it as promoting antisemitism or division.The motion did not explicitly call for immediate divestment or endorse BDS. Instead, it requested a review of the council's pension investment policy to ensure alignment with ethical standards and legal obligations, such as those under the Public Sector Equality Duty.  
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 Proponents framed it as a neutral step toward responsible investing, while opponents viewed it as a veiled anti-Israel measure that could harm community relations in Hertfordshire, which has the UK's highest proportion of Jewish residents (over 25,000 people).  
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The petition promoter, Peter Segal, is the founder of St Albans Friends of Palestine and a known BDS supporter, adding to the controversy.  
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The Meeting and VoteDuring the October 21 meeting, councillors debated the motion amid heated exchanges. Key points raised included potential breaches of equality laws, risks of judicial review, and reputational damage to the council.  
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 The vote resulted in 37 in favor and 36 against, passing by a single vote.  
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 As Chairman, Cllr Brass—a Liberal Democrat representing Bushey North—chose not to exercise his casting vote, citing the need to maintain impartiality in his role.  
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 This decision effectively allowed the motion to proceed without his intervention.Accusations Against Cllr BrassThe petition accuses Brass of "silencing debate" by interrupting Conservative Councillor Matthew Hurst mid-speech. Hurst was arguing that the motion could violate legal standards and invite challenges.  
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 Critics claim this cutoff prevented full accountability and showed bias toward party politics over principles.  
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 Additionally, Brass is alleged to have announced the result "gleefully," appearing proud of the outcome, which stunned and hurt members of the Jewish community.  
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The "betrayal" aspect highlights Brass's personal history: He served 40 years with the Board of Deputies of British Jews, including as Treasurer and Vice-President, making him a longstanding figure in Jewish advocacy.  
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 The petition argues that, given this background and Hertfordshire's demographics, his inaction and handling of the debate amounted to abandoning the community he once championed, allowing a motion seen as antisemitic-adjacent to pass.  
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 As of early November 2025, the petition has over 700 signatures, with comments labeling his conduct as "cowardice" and an "embarrassment to the Jewish community."  
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Brass's Response and Council ClarificationBrass has denied the accusations, stating that he enforced standard three-minute speaking limits on all participants, not selectively silencing anyone.  
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 He also refuted claims of transferring his vote or other procedural misconduct.  
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 In interviews, he described the motion as "bland and innocuous," emphasizing it made no direct mention of Israel and was merely a review request.  
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 Despite the backlash, Brass has vowed to continue in his role, attributing the controversy to misinformation and political opponents.  
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Hertfordshire County Council issued a statement on October 23, 2025, clarifying that it does not endorse BDS and that the motion only initiates a policy review, not any divestment action.  
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 The council stressed its pension fund's fiduciary duty to prioritize members' financial interests.Broader FalloutThe incident has sparked significant backlash, including "vicious" abuse and threats of physical violence directed at Brass, primarily via thousands of emails from the Jewish community labeling him a "traitor."  
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 Social media discussions, including on X (formerly Twitter), echo the petition's call for resignation, framing it as a stand against hate.  
@neveragainnowuk
 Critics argue the episode highlights divisions over Israel-Palestine issues in local governance, while supporters of the motion see it as a legitimate push for ethical investing. As of November 2025, no formal resignation or further council action has been reported, but the controversy continues to fuel debates on impartiality and community representation in Hertfordshire.