Cllr Bob Kilmister, a former Lib Dem councillor on Pembrokeshire county council, reassures his residents via his blog that he continues to work and act as a Liberal Democrat despite having decided to resign from the Lib Dem group:
I did this so Tony Brinsden my colleague could retain his seat on the National Park. The political balance rules meant that unless I resigned Tony could not continue to perform his duties on the park. Tony is Chair of the Development committee and is also chairing the new Local Plan process. I thought it vital that he continue with this work.
The County Council website now has me down as Non Affiliated. Please do not be in any doubt I am still a Liberal Democrat and I will continue with Tony Brinsden to try and bring our values to fruition in Pembrokeshire. I have not changed my Political allegiance at all.
Greater love hath no Lib Dem than this, that he lay down his Group affiliation for his ward colleague.
3 Comments
I don’t like to criticise without knowing full details, but this seems like a rather odd attempt to bend the rules over political balance — rules I’d have thought we supported.
My recollection (English laws, a few years ago) was that two members was enough to form a group.
It isn’t completely unprecedented. In Hertfordshire (97-01 I think) we formed an administration group with Labour as that then meant that the coalition had a majority which entitled it to a majority on all committees under the proportionality rules.
What Richard said. This smacks of slimy rule-avoidance, and seems like nothing to be proud of.