General councillors and other notable defections

[LDCaerdydd]

Two Tory Councillors quit to form their own ‘group’ in Cardiff. Both up for election in 2027.

Two councillors have left the Conservatives group at Cardiff Council.

The decision taken by Cllr Emma Reid-Jones and Cllr Peter Littlechild, who will form a new group together, means that the Tories will no longer be the main opposition at the local authority.

Both councillors, who represent the wards of Lisvane and Thornhill and Pontprennau and Old St Mellons respectively, will remain as Conservative party members and councillors.

We understand that two other members in the Conservative group are also considering leaving.

In a joint statement, Cllr Reid-Jones and Cllr Littlechild said: “We came into politics, to act in an honest and transparent manner, working hard for the benefit of the wards we represent, the people of Cardiff and to advocate for those who don’t feel they have a voice.

“We are dedicated to our Christian and Conservative family values, and therefore need to do what is right and not what is easy.

“Whilst we remain committed Conservative members, we have taken the difficult decision to resign our Conservative whip at Cardiff Council.”

nation.cymru/news/two-councillors-quit-conservative-group-at-cardiff-council/

[carolus]

Cornwall, "St Newlyn East, Cubert & Goonhavern" (2025). Adrian Harvey, Conservative to no description.

Islington, Clerkenwell (2026). Matt Nathan, Independent (elected as Labour) to Islington Independent Socialists.

Islington, Finsbury Park (2026). Asima Shaikh, Independent (elected as Labour) to Islington Independent Socialists.

King's Lynn & West Norfolk, North Lynn (2027). Micaela Bartrum, Labour to Independent.

Redditch, North (2026). Sid Khan, Labour to Independent.

[carolus]

Jul 26, 2024 9:36:48 GMT carolus said:

Cornwall, "St Newlyn East, Cubert & Goonhavern" (2025). Adrian Harvey, Conservative to no description.

Following on from this, there now seems to be a  proper Non-aligned group, consisting of four councillors, three of whom were originally elected as Conservative:

John Conway, Launceston South (Group Leader)

Steve Arthur, Perranporth (Deputy Group Leader, previously sitting as "Stand Alone Conservative")

Adrian Harvey, "St Newlyn East, Cubert & Goonhavern"

Dulcie Tudor, Threemilestone & Chacewater (originally elected as Independent)

With the latest change, that means the Conservatives have now lost their majority on the council (though in practice they are just one short, and there is also an "Independent Conservative Aligned". The make up is 

43 Con, 15 Independent, 13 LD, 6 Mebyon Kernow, 5 Lab, 4 Non-aligned, 1 Independent Conservative Aligned

[Foggy]

Jul 26, 2024 15:24:59 GMT carolus said:

Jul 26, 2024 9:36:48 GMT carolus said:

Cornwall, "St Newlyn East, Cubert & Goonhavern" (2025). Adrian Harvey, Conservative to no description.

Steve Arthur, Perranporth (Deputy Group Leader, previously sitting as "Stand Alone Conservative")

Is that his spacing or yours? If it's his, do we know if that's deliberate? 

[carolus]

Jul 26, 2024 17:10:28 GMT Foggy said:

Jul 26, 2024 15:24:59 GMT carolus said:

Steve Arthur, Perranporth (Deputy Group Leader, previously sitting as "Stand Alone Conservative")

Is that his spacing or yours? If it's his, do we know if that's deliberate? 

His spacing, or at least that which appeared on the council website. This article www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwall-tory-councillor-resigns-saying-9430017 references the same spacing. Though I notice that Google's cache for the council make-up page has it as Stand-Alone Conservative, so it's possible that it's the fault of whoever updated the website.

[carolus]

Waverley, Godalming Binscombe & Charterhouse (2027). Steve Williams (Green) has been expelled from the party for supporting tactical voting against the Conservatives in Godalming & Ash.

www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/26/greens-ban-surrey-members-for-allegedly-backing-tactical-voting-against-jeremy-hunt

The other councillor expelled is a Godalming town councillor (Clare Weightman, Godalming Binscombe).

I note that the article suggests Williams has form, and was expelled from Labour for the same thing in 2017.

[carolus]

Islington, Bunhill (2026). Phil Graham, Independent (elected as Labour) to Islington Independent Socialists.
Islington, Laycock (2026). Ilkay Cinko-Oner, Independent (elected as Labour) to Islington Independent Socialists.

North East Derbyshire, Shirland (2027). Heather Liggett, Conservative to Independent Group.

[timrollpickering]

This now makes the Islington Independent Socialists the largest opposition group, displacing the Greens.

[ColinJ]

Jul 29, 2024 9:57:07 GMT timrollpickering said:

This now makes the Islington Independent Socialists the largest opposition group, displacing the Greens.

I guess there is a high probability that if the Independent candidate (Alison May Stoeker, ) is elected in the Hillrise by-election they would join I.I.S.

[carolus]

Flintshire, Holywell East (2027). Ian Hodge, Non Aligned to Eagle.

[r34t]

Jul 29, 2024 12:00:45 GMT ColinJ said:

Jul 29, 2024 9:57:07 GMT timrollpickering said:

This now makes the Islington Independent Socialists the largest opposition group, displacing the Greens.

I guess there is a high probability that if the Independent candidate (Alison May Stoeker, ) is elected in the Hillrise by-election they would join I.I.S.

Be careful. I'm sure that statement is actionable - s.114A, (c)(e)(g) RPA 1983   

[r34t]

Jul 29, 2024 12:33:50 GMT carolus said:

Flintshire, Holywell East (2027). Ian Hodge, Non Aligned to Eagle.

Clearly a high flyer ...

[stb12]

Jul 29, 2024 12:38:27 GMT r34t said:

Jul 29, 2024 12:33:50 GMT carolus said:

Flintshire, Holywell East (2027). Ian Hodge, Non Aligned to Eagle.

Clearly a high flyer ...

He’s landed on his feet

[r34t]

Jul 29, 2024 12:45:29 GMT stb12 said:

Jul 29, 2024 12:38:27 GMT r34t said:

Clearly a high flyer ...

He’s landed on his feet

Are you sure ? I assumed he was just winging it 

[batman]

Why are you giving him the bird?

[finsobruce]

Jul 29, 2024 12:33:50 GMT carolus said:

Flintshire, Holywell East (2027). Ian Hodge, Non Aligned to Eagle.

Will he challenge Dan Dare for the leadership?

[r34t]

Jul 29, 2024 13:04:11 GMT batman said:

Why are you giving him the bird?

No, I was preying for his victory 

[john07]

Jul 29, 2024 13:58:01 GMT r34t said:

Jul 29, 2024 13:04:11 GMT batman said:

Why are you giving him the bird?

No, I was preying for his victory 

If there is any more flapping about I will give this thread the bird.

[notabrummie]

Jul 29, 2024 17:00:03 GMT john07 said:

Jul 29, 2024 13:58:01 GMT r34t said:

No, I was preying for his victory 

If there is any more flapping about I will give this thread the bird.

That was a cheep shot!

[batman]

these comments have now spanned 8 hours