There were tears and shouts as Haringey Borough Council pushed through cuts of £70 million as part of its budget.

The full council meeting saw emotional and impassioned speeches from members of the public and trade union representatives railing against the budget, which contains £24 million of cuts to social care.

Amendments to the budget proposals had been submitted to the council following an emergency ‘call in’ meeting demanded by opposition Liberal Democrats on Friday, but these were dismissed by the Labour-run council by a vote of 42 to 9.

During the named vote, some of those voting against the amendments to the social care budget did so quietly and a number of Labour councillors were visibly uncomfortable.

Tottenham Independent:

Councillor Jason Arthur said: “There is deep cynicism in this room about the decisions we have had to take and we have not taken them lightly.

“We have to make difficult decisions on social care. The easiest thing to do would be to passively apply these cuts but we reject that approach, we have still been able to freeze council tax.

“This is a difficult time for us, and many of us are feeling uncomfortable as Labour politicians.”

During the process, shouts of “cowards”, “Tories” and “shame on you” cascaded from the public gallery and one young woman repeatedly interrupted proceedings, becoming tearful and angry as the motion was passed.

Cllr Joe Goldberg said: “I am absolutely proud to be voting for this budget. It represents a democratic socialist agenda. We will continue to deliver a Labour agenda here in Haringey.”

Before the full council meeting, union Unison staged a protest march from Turnpike Lane to Haringey Civic Centre in Wood Green High Road, led by a single bagpiper.