Tories to boycott Witney by-election (From Witney Gazette)
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Tories to boycott Witney by-election
7:20am Wednesday 29th December 2010 in Witney
LABOUR, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party will battle it out in a by-election next week – but the Conservatives will not.
The Tories are not contesting the Witney East ward of Witney Town Council, calling it a waste of cash as all seats are up for election next year.
The January 6 poll was called after Conservative councillor Louise Chapman was disqualified for failing to attend a single meeting in six months.
Liberal Democrat candidate Mark Balaam said: “I have decided to stand in Witney East because I am unhappy with the poor level of representation that we get from our current council.” Mr Balaam is campaigning against the Cogges link road plan, the “mass over-expansion” of housing in the town and wants to stop youths playing in cemeteries.
Labour’s Duncan Enright is also opposing the link road, to run from the junction of Oxford Hill and Jubilee Way, around the Cogges estate to the Station Lane roundabout by Sainsbury’s, and with a new crossing over the River Windrush. Conservatives have backed the plan.
He said: “I am most passionate about the vital issues, which are largely non party-political, but are very controversial and on which the town council is on the wrong side.”
The Green Party’s Kate Griffin said: “I live in Witney East. I really love it here and I know I could fight for the interests of people here.”
She pledged to also fight the link road, protect green spaces and back Fairtrade status for the town, which endorses products that give third-world producers a “better” deal.
She said: “Becoming a Fairtrade town sends a really strong message that we are a town that cares about fair play.”
The 16-member council has one Liberal Democrat, two Independents with the rest Conservative.
Comments(10)
Rhino129
says...
9:31am Wed 29 Dec 10
I do like the stuff the Lib Dems have said especially the comments on the mass over expansion of Witney but I don't feel I could vote for them again after the general election.
Darkforbid
says...
11:40am Wed 29 Dec 10
pilot1944
says...
3:11pm Wed 29 Dec 10
Man on the Green
says...
10:36am Thu 30 Dec 10
Paul Wesson
says...
5:31pm Thu 30 Dec 10
I think the Tories should have fought the by election, the fault for which lies entirely within their camp after all. Still it gives someone else a chance to make a small contribution.
MarkBalaam
says...
9:48pm Thu 30 Dec 10
However, I urge you to place your vote on local issues. After all, if I am elected, I will be representing on local issues. There are many issues that need resolving a) why the Cogges link road is ploughing ahead with seemingly a large proportion of Witney residents against b) we should be seeking fairtrade status as a town c) why Witney is being vastly expanded with big housing developments in the pipe line- the infrastructure is limited to cope with this and do we really want to see our beautiful market town become a sub- Oxford metropolis?.
I feel so strongly that the people of Witney East deserve much better representation on our councils. If elected, I will strive to make sure that Witney residents experience what a local councillor should really be like- regular updates, monthly surgeries, regular consultation and regular attendance of council meetings.
Unlike the unknown and poor quality Tory councillors that we currently have in Witney East, I grew up with a Liberal Democrat Council in Stockport. My local councillors were of excellent quality and very good local representatives. I strive to be like them.
In my experience, Lib Dem councillors are the best councillors.
I urge all east Witney residents to vote for me and see how better it can be with a decent and hard-working local representative.
Man on the Green
says...
10:13am Fri 31 Dec 10
Paul Wesson
says...
6:02pm Sat 1 Jan 11
I now understand the point you were trying to make, but we have to separate out different roles. If there is any suggestion that cabinet members are not doing the job for which they are paid then that should also be investigated. MOTG, if you've been around long enough you will know that I opposed the professionalisation of councillors and resigned the Tory whip on WODC when I thought we were wrong to vote ourselves allowances that exceeded our budget. I reckon most councillors don't 'earn' the allowances they are paid, but I lost that argument at the ballot box and the public are clearly happy with people being paid thousands of pounds to attend a handful of meetings (some earn about £50 per hour pro rata).
The cabinet system was part of Labour's local government reforms. I think it was designed to grease a few wheels and to allow people in the big cities to earn sufficient money as councillors so that they don't have to dirty their hands with proper jobs.
No councillor should be expected to do more than 20 hours per week and nobody should be able to live on a councillor's salary lest they become isolated from real life.
Man on the Green
says...
11:46am Tue 4 Jan 11
Rhino129 says...
9:26am Wed 29 Dec 10
"We've sold out," came the reply.
"Yes, I know that," I said. "I just want a manifesto."