Paul Andrew Daisley (20 July 1957 – 18 June 2003) was a British politician from the Labour Party who is most notable for his period as Leader of Brent Borough Council.
After working as an accounting officer and for his own management consultancy, he succeeded in significantly improving the reputation of the council and pioneering anti-crime initiatives.
[4] Highly critical of the Labour administration that won the election, Daisley worked together with likeminded colleagues to rebuild the party.
[2] As Leader, Daisley took on the role of tackling the crime problems of his borough, declaring that "thanks to the evil activities of a handful of people Harlesden has a reputation as a bad and fearful place" and the time had come "to take a stand against the gangsters who are a menace on our streets".
[3] Daisley was initially sceptical about the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium, although the election of Ken Livingstone as Mayor of London led to a change of mind in May 2000.
[8] When the council granted planning permission for the redevelopment, it insisted on a legal agreement requiring substantial payments for improvements; Daisley became unpopular with the Football Association for taking this stance.
[3] Despite being described a 'Blairite', Daisley supported the Mayoral campaign of Brent East MP Ken Livingstone when he fought as an Independent after being defeated for the official Labour Party nomination.
Livingstone's election as Mayor meant giving up his Parliamentary seat, and Daisley was viewed as one of two front-runners for the nomination (his rival being Mary Turner, a leading official of the GMB union).
Daisley received Livingstone's support in the fierce battle;[1] a dispute about postal votes in the selection had to be taken to the regional party body to be resolved.
His colleague Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North, announced the prognosis to the House of Commons on the last sitting day before Christmas.