English: People asked me what difference it made to be awarded my freedom from Haringey Labour councillors' Party whip.

Well here's what changed for me in 2013.

At Haringey Council meetings the nameplates for councillors were colour coded for the political parties. Labour councillors got their names framed in red. As you see, on 18 March 2013 at the full Council meeting, mine was a tasteful shade of launderette grey.

And I got my own jug of water with a paper doily.

Also a desk near the door - very handy for popping out to the coffee machine during the meeting and avoiding the worst drivel.

Other differences? Well not much. The Labour whips took me off my remaining committees. Of course, they didn't bother to ask if I was doing a good job for residents on those committees. (But then, in my personal view, services for local residents were not the first concern of Cllr Claire Kober.)

Best of all, I was no longer expected to attend meetings of the Labour Group of councillors - nor its occasional grisly and pointless "awaydays". Nor meetings called "Leader's Conferences"; which for several years I've said were probably unlawful. I guess that being barred from these meetings is intended as a punishment and a sanction. It was actually a generous reward.

Most councillors I like and respect - both Labour and Liberal Democrat - are still courteous and friendly. And I am still a member of the Labour Party and attend its local branch meetings. __________________________________

§ Aerial view of where I took this photo.