TORIES ELIMINATE OPPOSITION COUNCILLORS AT COUNTY HALL (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats <info@saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk>

TORIES ELIMINATE OPPOSITION COUNCILLORS AT COUNTY HALL

July 14, 2009 9:14 PM

Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes The Conservative administration at Essex County Council has moved to block out the opposition as the ruling party settles into its new job after last month's elections. Despite having a massive majority, with 60 out of 75 seats, the Conservatives have banned all opposition county councillors from the council's important waste advisory board where opposition parties have always previously been represented. The Conservatives had also to be talked into allowing an opposition councillor to continue to chair the council's main scrutiny committee, a job traditionally undertaken by the opposition.

Commenting, Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes Liberal Democrats group leader said: "The Conservatives have so many seats and such a whopping majority now that they can win every vote even if only a quarter of their councillors turn up. In these circumstances, we expect to see the Liberal Democrats, with an increased representation of 12 seats and the only opposition group on the council, offered proper representation on all bodies. A one party state in a democracy is very dangerous and an administration needs to be held to account.

"Unfortunately, the Conservatives are moving to use their extensive power to freeze out the opposition and stop any challenge to their authority. This is in stark contrast to their claims to run a transparent and accountable council. This attitude smacks of arrogance and intolerance and is not in the best interests of the residents of Essex who are being prevented from receiving the comprehensive voice they voted for across all areas of the council.

"We often speak about bad losers, but it's very unusual to be a bad winner."