Our only truly independent councillor

For decades the Residents' Association group of councillors have told local residents that they are a grouping of independents. They are, of course, no such thing. The RAs are a local political party and whip their councillors into following the party line. The party line has proved terribly unpopular recently with budget cuts that have hit the most vulnerable rather than targetting excess, waste and inefficiency.

Christine Howells was elected in 2005 as a Residents' Association councillor. Until earlier this year she sat as a member of their group. When the RAs pushed through plans to abolish free parking for blue badge holders she resigned from the group and became an independent.

At last week's council meeting she proved what a true independent she is. In a moving speech Christine attacked the RA group's policies. Expressing real sadness at the direction they had chosen to take she pointed out that there were many areas of waste and subsidy that should be targetted before introducing cuts that hit the vulnerable. Christine stated that RA councillors had failed to listen to residents and that her former colleagues should not be acting as if they were proud of themselves, they should be ashamed.

It just so happened that I was called to speak after Christine. I commended her for her brave and intelligent comments. I have no doubt that it is a difficult and unpleasant experience having to leave one's political group. Christine has shown that it can be done with true intergrity and dignity. Whatever the RAs may say she is the council's only true independent and I look forward to her future contributions in the council chamber.

National coverage of RA councillors?

Simon Heffer wrote in the Telegraph last Monday:

Despite it being led by a monomaniacal sociopath with
all the charm of a septic tank and the communication skills of a stoat, and despite having engaged in the worst acts of economic mismanagement in 80 years...

Many Telegraph readers in Epsom & Ewell will have assumed that Mr. Heffer was referring to our own Residents' Association council and its leader, Cllr. Robert Leach. Further reading however revealed that the author's focus was Gordon Brown and the Labour Party.

Come to think of it, the similarities are startling.

Senior Residents' Association Councillor joins Conservatives

Nigel Petrie MBE, County Councillor for Epsom & Ewell North East and Borough Councillor for Nonsuch ward has joined the Conservatives.

This weekend thousands of leaflets were delivered across his county divison informing his residents of his decision.

Nigel has served on the Borough Council for 22 years and is a former Mayor of Epsom & Ewell. He has served on Surrey County Council for 8 years.

Nigel has commented, " I consider the best way for me to achieve the things we want for our community is as a member of the Conservative Party. It is vitally important that we challenge the Labour Party as it flounders over the economic crisis, and give a boost to the national campaign by backing the Conservatives."

Chris Grayling, our Member of Parliament, has commented that Nigel " has a long track record of public service in the area, and he will now be able to play a much more direct role in making sure that the County Council looks after the interests of Epsom & Ewell as part of its ruling group."

As the leader of our council group in Epsom & Ewell I am delighted that Nigel is joining us. He is the third most senior councillor in the Borough and he is a good common sense politician who cares deeply about the area he represents. Nigel, like so many in Epsom & Ewell, has come to the conclusion that the Conservatives, not the Residents' Associations, offer the best future for the Borough.