Hertsmere Conservatives were labelled a “farce” by shocked onlookers after appearing to shut down debate over the controversy around Elstree Film Studios.

Labour and the Lib Dems called an extraordinary general meeting of the council to secure various assertions and concessions over the Internal Audit Report. Unfortunately, the Conservative councillors shut down the debate as they refused to allow opposition members to hold them to account.

The Labour group attempted to propose amendments to the initial proposal. The first, which aimed to set a date on the implementation of the report’s recommendations, was struck down by Tory councillors. The second, which asked that a councillor each from Labour and the Lib Dems be put on the Elstree Film Studios board, barely made it past the initial speech before Tory councillors forced a vote on it – without debate.

Another vote was then forced by the conservative councillors to reject the proposal. This allowed no debate and no further amendments to be made.

Certain high-ranking Tories brought the chamber into disrepute after commenting on the personal lives of opposition councillors.

This is a betrayal of democracy. We cannot have debate shut down in our chambers. How will the public ever trust politicians if this is the way they act?