Carl English says
LibDems offer real democracy for residents
The ruling Conservatives in Adur have been rocked by a second defection in a fortnight, as Southlands Councillor Carl English has followed colleague Gavin Ayling in choosing to cross the floor to the Liberal Democrats.
“Since my election in 2006, I have found it increasingly difficult to defend Tory policies, locally or nationally,” said Councillor English. “On the doorstep, when people have attacked the Tories, I have found myself agreeing with them more and more that Adur is being let down by the Conservative administration. When you are asked to put party ahead of people; when you’re told what to think and say by an inner circle: then democracy goes out of the window. I felt that as the electors of Southlands ward had elected me as a Conservative then I should serve as much of my term as possible as a Tory, but I also wanted to have time to explain on the doorstep my reasons for leaving a party that has no interest in serving the community.
“Now it’s time to go, and I look forward to being able to campaign and fight freely for the residents against unjust plans and policies. I’ve joined the Liberal Democrats because they offer a chance for real change; the Labour party have nothing to offer and no chance of winning in Adur.”
Cllr English was elected for Southlands ward in 2006. With Carl on board, the LibDems have now become the official opposition to the Conservatives on Adur District Council.
Councillor James Doyle, leader of Worthing Liberal Democrats, said “Carl has made this decision because he believe in putting the residents of his ward first, a belief at the heart of Liberal Democrat philosophy, and a principle apparently sadly lacking in local Conservatives. Like Gavin, Carl sees the ongoing merger plans being pushed through for Worthing and Adur as undemocratic and unfair to Adur. I’m delighted that Richard Burt and Gavin Ayling have another colleague so soon, and I look forward to working with them to increase the number of Liberal Democrats on Adur Council, and increasing the real representation for Adur residents.”
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#1 by stodge on December 4th, 2009 - 4:38 pm
A belated welcome from me to the party, Gav. I’ve been a Party member longer than I care to remember and it’s always good to welcome new members into the fold.
I imagine it’s been a difficult personal journey for you and I hope you find our party and its members more in tune with your own beliefs and ideas.
#2 by Lester Unega Waya on December 23rd, 2009 - 4:45 am
The Liberal Democrats have passed their sell by date.
You contact them and don’t get as much as a thank you.
They are not interested in any ideas the ordinary public have.
They have no agenda for tackling climate change.
The only party that has a worthwhile agenda is the Green Party.
Carl, you would have done better if you had gone to the Green Party because then you would have got my vote on polin day.
I am not interested in party politics, only common sense, which does not go well with politics.
Captalism is damaging the Earth.
Unless capitalism dies, the Earth will die.
Either way, capitalism is doomed.
Politicians are not saving the Earth for their familie’s sake, so what hope have we got of them saving the Earth for the rest of us.