Local Councillors Who Commit Treachery

You know, if you’re in Brentwood, you’ve probably already seen the news in this weeks edition of the Brentwood Recorder*, haven’t you … ?

That former Liberal Democrat councillor, Nigel Clarke has ‘crossed the floor’ — defected, in other words — to the local Conservatives.

I’m …

Well, not speechless, per sé.

There’s plenty I COULD be saying, here.

But I’ll try and keep it civil, shall I … ?

»»•««

I have to admit, as soon as I heard the news … ?

I sent off an email to the Brentwood Gazette.

Here’s what I said …

I’ve got to admit, I’ve just heard the news that former Lib-dem Councillor Nigel Clarke has defected from the local Liberal Democrats, TO the local Conservatives.

As a lifelong Liberal voter, I’m extremely let down, as the Brentwood West ward, where I live, now we have lost a councillor we voted for.

And gained one that we didn’t.

I HAVE to ask when will Councillor Clarke be stepping down as a councillor?

Having one who’s (effectively) unelected is undemocratic, in principle.

On top of that, I’ve been given to understand that Councillor Clarke is on Brentwood Council’s Planning committee.

Given that the recently reported Saint James Road planning application —near to where I live — is due to go before this committee, at some point … ?

I have to admit that I — and anyone else in the area who objects — now have a councillor who is placing his political career ahead of the needs of his constituents.

And thus can have no confidence in him or his actions: as a councillor, or as a member of any committees he’s on.

This ISN’T good: for the people of Brentwood or local democracy.

Nigel Clarke … ?

Should step down.

And let his constituents speak.

What makes it worse, from where I’m sitting … ?

Is that Councillor Clarke is on Brentwood Council’s Planning Committee.

Understandably, that’s got me seriously concerned about the situation with the Saint James Road planning application.

Back in 2010, Taylor Wimpey’s application got turned down.

Then the extension went through in 2011.

Now … ?

I’m sorry, but I don’t have any faith about it, this year.

Councillor Clarke has both destroyed my faith in politicians.

And completely betrayed those people who elected him on his original LibDem platform.

I still stand by what I said in that letter.

He should down.

Preferably, on Monday.

But the sooner the better.

* As a point, here … ? The Councillor says in that report that he is “… not a political person”. Not a political person … ? What kind of fatuous statement is that … from a person who stands a local politician? I’d argue, surely, that THAT is all the more reason for him to stand down, NOW. Rather than inflict the results of continuing treachery on the electorate.