A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has quit the party claiming its actions nationally have been “bad for democracy.”
Cllr Tudor Pole, a member of Stockton Heath Parish Council, says he has resigned on “a point of principle” because he feels the party leadership’s actions since the Coalition government was formed have contributed to a situation where “no-one trusts politicians.”
The 80-year-old (pictured) had never been a member of a political party until the outbreak of the Iraq War, which he strongly opposed.
He then joined the Liberal Democrats because they were the only major party to oppose it.
Cllr Pole said: “I have been thinking about resigning for quite a while now, but hoped the party would change its ways. I have gone along with it as far as my principles would allow.
“But now it is time to part company – I am quite disappointed with how the party has acted.
“Nobody believes a word politicians say any more. We are in a sorry state when a politician’s word means nothing – nobody trusts politicians now and the Lib Dems have contributed to this attitude.
“It is bad for democracy – that more than anything is why I decided to jump ship.”
Cllr Pole said he had joined the parish council to keep himself busy in retirement.
He will continue in office as an Independent until the next election to avoid the cost of a by-election.
Cllr Pole is chairman of the popular Stockton Heath Festival, which he helped found in 2008.
He said he had no criticism of Liberal Democrat members of the parish council who he described as “fine people.”
Cllr Ian Marks, Liberal Democrat leader of Warrington Borough Council, said he was “very disappointed” that a councillor for who he had a lot of respect had felt it necessary to resign.
He said: “The Liberal Democrats did not win the General Election and in terms of number of MPs, we are the ‘junior partner’ in the Coalition.
“The Coalition has to be based on compromise and no one party can get all its own way. But 65 per cent of the Liberal Democrat manifesto is there in the Coalition Agreement.”
He believed the party was having a “considerable influence” on Government in the difficult economic climate. But he accepted the party had not been successful in getting that message across to members or the general public.
He did not know of any other Liberal Democrats in Warrington who had resigned on the issue.
Lib-Dem councillor quits party
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
4 Comments
“A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has quit the party claiming its actions nationally have been “bad for democracy.” ????????? Has Cllr Pole failed to realise that the Lib/Dem’s actions LOCALLY haven’t been up to much either!!! Cllr Pole states;- “I have gone along with it as far as my principles would allow.” Which was far enough to disregard the 5000+ local people who were against the demolition of Stockton Heath Primary!..not very democratic!!!
“…….he feels the party leadership’s actions since the Coalition government was formed have contributed to a situation where “no-one trusts politicians.” ”
Since the LOCAL coalition has been formed has there really been anything to foster trust in politicians? Has Cllr Pole failed to note the ‘goings on’ over Stockton Heath Primary, Longbarn Primary, Woolston High, Bewsey Old Hall etc etc and most recently the ‘behind closed doors’ antics re Walton Hall and Gardens? He says he has resigned on “a point of principle” and further comments;- “We are in a sorry state when a politician’s word means nothing”. Well yes indeed Cllr Pole, we are in a sorry state!!!
Mr Pole (do we still call him Cllr) worked very hard organising the Stockton Heath Festival (without the help of the Parish Council as it had nothing to do with them). I applaud him for that but I do wonder why he stayed with the Lib Dem Party for so long if his feelings against them were so strong and indeed why he didn’t speak out more vocally or forecfully about certain decisions etc. The problem Sha with some ‘parish’ level councillors is that many have no real interest in what goes on and it is more of a social gathering for them and ‘ooh look I’m a councillor;… the old saying amongst most of them is “Sorry,,,,There is nothing we can do… we are only parish councillors” It often makes me wonder what the point of having them in the first place is 🙁 I wish Mr Pole every success in whatever he decides to do with his free time from now 🙂 He’s better off out of it all 🙂
I don’t think party politics in the Parish Council is too important. I’d much prefer Parish Councillors to be passionate about Stockton Heath. I think we need a lot more Councillors like Mr Pole who are prepared to get on and do something for the community. I hope he stands again as an Independent. I’d vote for him.
I completely agree