15-05-2025
Three Solihull Conservative councillors resign membership
Three Conservative councillors from Birmingham have resigned from the party.A joint statement from councillors Michael Gough, Samantha Gethen and Alison Rolf, who represent Solihull, said they will continue to serve as a resignation letter posted to Facebook, Gough said the party had "changed" and no longer reflects on his values and beliefs. Gethen also shared her resignation letter online, stating she had "no confidence" in its local leadership.
A statement from Rolf, Gough and Gethen said: "As elected representatives of the people of Solihull, we have always acted with the best interests of our community at heart."We can no longer, in good conscience, continue as part of the Conservative group on Solihull Council."We will continue to serve as independent councillors, standing up for the values of the people of Solihull, to protect what matters, challenge what doesn't and help shape a town that works for everyone."In his letter addressed to Councillor Karen Grinsell, Gough referenced difficulties in his personal life that had impacted his political work over the last 18 wrote: "I have wrestled with my conscience and personally struggled being a Conservative Party member in recent times. "I have probably hung on longer than I should have, due to my loyalty for the local group and the friends I have made."He also went on to say he had witnessed treatment of other members of the party that did not "sit well" with him and that he no longer felt his contributions were valued. Goethe's letter said she made the decision "after much thought and reflection" and feels she can no longer serve the community with the "integrity it deserves" while remaining a Conservative member. She added: "My values have not changed, my commitment to local residents remain as strong as ever."The BBC has contacted the Conservative Party for comment.
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