Latest news with #ex-Conservatives
Spectator
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Could Reform's Scottish surge provoke indyref2?
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney unveiled his strategy for pursuing a second independence referendum this week, arguing that an SNP majority at next year's Holyrood elections is the only way to guarantee it. This is seen as an attempt to put Scottish independence back on the table as well as combat the rising popularity of Reform. Pollster Mark Diffley of Diffley Partnership joins Lucy Dunn to unpack the SNP's independence strategy. Mark points out that while Reform are consistently outperforming expectations, their support still primarily comes from ex-Conservatives. This, plus the unpopularity of the current UK Labour government, could provide the SNP with an opening to exploit and shore up nationalist support. Could next year's Holyrood election be the most consequential election of the devolution era so far? Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Natasha Feroze.
North Wales Live
25-07-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Readers call for by-election after councillors defect to Reform
The recent switch by Llandudno councillors from the Conservative Party to Reform UK has seen some intense discussion among North Wales Live readers, with a flurry of social media and online commentary. This political shift is seen by some as indicative of broader transformations within local and national political landscapes. Two Conwy councillors have crossed the floor to join Reform UK, leaving the Conservatives behind. Llandudno representatives Louise Emery and Tom Montgomery cited their dissatisfaction with the nation's lack of progress as their reason for defecting, expressing a desire to "stand up for Britain" upon announcing their decision. Addressing the Local Democracy Reporting Service, both councillors voiced their discontent with the current state of governance. As they departed the Conservative party, they extended gratitude towards their former colleagues, while Cllr Emery levelled criticism at the previous Tory-led UK Government for being "not good enough". Cllr Emery stated: "I have resigned from the Conservative Party and joined Reform UK. I have not taken this decision lightly." She continued, emphasising her commitment to her constituents: "For the past eight years, I have worked tirelessly for the residents of the Gogarth Mostyn ward and the town of Llandudno; I am enthusiastic, and more than ever driven to deliver for residents and businesses. "But I am so frustrated at how our country is stagnating and declining. We need a shake up; we need a government that listens to its people and is prepared to stand up for Britain – its history, its place in the world, its future. "I am tired of defending the legacy of the Conservative Government – they weren't good enough. I am horrified at the first year of Labour Government. "There is only one party that can deliver the change we so desperately need and that is Reform UK." She added: "Reform have a manifesto of common-sense policies which are the only way to set this country back on course and ensure that both local and national government work as they should - for the taxpayer." Cllr Emery also referenced additional "common sense" Reform policies behind her decision. These encompassed social care overhauls, a fresh curriculum, assessments of council expenditure, employment incentives, a "reward-based benefits" structure, and immigration controls, including "halting illegal crossings". One reader, Totemlad1 simply says: "And so it starts." While Chucker writes: "More Conservatives going over. Looks like Conservatives doomed. Maybe it's an easy way out for them." Underdog_1 believes: "Sooner Reform are in, the better Britain will be and illegal immigration will reduce/stop." Dewibach replies and asks: "And how exactly will Reform stop illegal immigration?" PedroD says: "I'm worried about the state of our county (Conwy) and its lack of effective leadership." Redsheep writes: "How is it a change when most of them are ex-Conservatives - Reform are just ultra right wing Conservatives, I think its going to be a case of 'be careful what you wish for' if Reform ever get in. People read 'Reform' and think this limited company is going to change things, all they have are carbon copies of Trump policies and look how they are going down in America. "There will have to be international agreements in place with places like France first before we can send anyone anywhere and Reform have already stated if France does not comply then they would remove fishing rights, then we end up in stale mate situation that will never be resolved because Reform are too stubborn to negotiate a deal." EllVis says: "They were voted in on the policies of their party. Defection should mean resignation and a fresh election should be called. Totally unacceptable to have party in that didn't win." Dewibach comments: "It doesn't matter what label is on the tin of paint when it comes to the issue of immigration no party can resolve it without friends on the continent." Froggyfrogs writes: "Louise Emery is one of our councillors in Llandudno. Now she has defected to she should resign, because she is no longer representing the people who voted for her. I didn't vote for her as it happens, but I certainly wouldn't vote for or Farage, so we don't want the likes of her representing our town without a new election. If she wins that, fair enough, but I doubt she will." BarnettFormulaSpongers says: "Fantastic news. Reform is on course to take all councils and Senedd next year. Time for change in wales." Everyyear feels: "Disappointing and somewhat undemocratic. Although it is quite common for politicians to change parties, I feel they should do that at election time not mid-term. My reasoning is that many will have voted for the party being represented - because they do not know the person. Personally, I would never vote for the Reform Party."
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Councillors accused of 'rearranging the chairs on the Titanic' during South Ayrshire leadership crisis
SNP, Labour and ex-Conservatives argued that the only way for SAC to restore its reputation in wake of leadership crisis was a changing of the guard. The line, 'rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic' was one repeated several times by councillors arguing that change was vital to rebuild South Ayrshire Council's reputation. It was a phrase repeated by several councillors as it became clear that members who had formed the administration under Councillor Martin Dowey planned to maintain the status quo during a heated debate over the future of the council on Tuesday. When Provost Iain Campbell resigned in spectacular fashion at a meeting on May 1, Labour group leader Duncan Townson acknowledged the difficult decision, shaking Cllr Campbell's hand and praising him for his integrity. It followed a series of events sparked by an audio recording of Cllr Dowey, who remained leader at the time of the meeting, seemingly promise to help a businessman secure a demolitions contract. But the goodwill towards the Provost collapsed after his u-turn. It heralded a heated meeting that saw all but one of the councillors who sat on the administration under Cllr Dowey vote for Independent Councillor Brian Connolly, who has declared that the cabinet will not see a huge change in personnel, as his replacement. The SNP and Labour, together with former Conservatives Bob Pollock and Stephen Ferry, said that the reputation of the council had been so sullied that only a change of administration could bring it back on track. Tuesday's meeting saw Cllr Connolly, who had been named depute leader in the interim, elevated to the leadership and Provost Campbell returning. The removal of Cllr Pollock from the depute leader post was one of the more controversial decisions taken in the wake of the leadership crisis. As depute, Cllr Pollock would have taken over the running of the council on the resignation of Cllr Dowey as leader. It is understood that he was highly critical of the approach being taken. However, the administration had argued that the move was only made to ensure the sizeable independent contingent in the administration was represented. Cllr Pollock's words were among the strongest made on Tuesday morning. He questioned what had changed to make Cllr Campbell accept a nomination mere weeks after a very public resignation where he used 'less than complimentary language' about the administration. Later he added: 'This administration has been brought into utter disrepute with the public. 'By the actions not only of the former leader, but by those who have supported him. 'I'm going to make a point here in terms of integrity and the fact that this is purported to be an independent administration. 'It is anything but. If you look at yourself, [Provost]. You resigned from the Conservative Party, become an independent and are voting with the administration. 'You have a deputy provost, who resigned from the Conservative party, I understand, and is still voting with the administration. 'You have Councillor Gavin Scott, who resigned from the Conservative party. and is voting with the administration. 'Make no doubt, this is exactly as it has been described. 'This is a rearranging of the chairs on the Titanic. And this council has stopped as a result of the fact that people will not face up to their consequences of what they were doing. 'That's the change that's desperately needed.' Labour group leader Townson made it clear that both his party and the SNP were of a view that change was vital to restore the council's reputation as he nominated SNP leader Julie Dettbarn for the Leader's post. He said: 'What I see before me is the preferred candidate of the former leader of the council, whose actions sparked the debacle we're in today. 'If we do not vote for a definitive change today, we're telling the people of South Ayrshire that we believe there are no consequences to bringing the council into disrepute. 'If we do not vote for that change, we're continuing what has come before. 'One thing is certain – we cannot rearrange the deck of the Titanic to reseat those that sunk the ship in different positions of authority, hoping to direct attention away from the lifeboats.' Councillor Dettbarn also spoke as she nominated Cllr Townson for the depute leadership. She began by indicating that there was more to come around conduct in the council, but said she was limited in what she could say. She also rebutted an earlier comment from Provost Campbell that much of what was a problem in South Ayrshire lay around 'political bickering'. She continued: 'What I can say is that over the last year or so, I have witnessed things in this place that I never, ever expected to experience as an elected member. 'And it goes way beyond anything that you yourself say is political bickering. 'It is nothing short of an un-edifying spectacle to watch the chairs being rearranged and all the same people remaining in administration.' She suggested that the councillors voting for the status quo may be hoping that the public wouldn't notice, adding 'they absolutely will notice and they are the reason we are all here. 'They voted to put us here and they deserve better. And it's right there above the Provost's head – Ne'er forget the people.' Prior to the vote for Provost, Independent member Stephen Ferry challenged Cllr Campbell directly, asking: 'What has changed in the three weeks since the grand gesture?' Cllr Campbell replied that the difference was that he was now independent, 'at arms length from where I stood that day.' He also inferred that, despite the Provost role being explicitly non-political, even when they are a member of a party, he didn't view that as the case when he was with the Conservatives. He added: 'Over the past days I've been approached by both sides, to be Provost. 'So I don't see why I can be bad for one side, and good for one side now, in the chair. 'So, if people are quite happy to nominate me, I'm quite happy to do the role as a non-political role from now on in.' He continued: 'I just wish, instead of all the bickering, like we hear in this chamber every single time we were meeting, we should all just join together as one group to do the best for the people of South Ayrshire. And I'm really very passionate about that. 'All this part of the political nonsense that goes on in this chamber. There's enough politicians in Westminster and Edinburgh.' Labour Councillor Brian McGinley said: 'I don't think it's credible to continue to support the previous administration in any shape or form. 'You need to ask yourself how many of the former supporters of the administration will benefit from this new administration. 'So it's very clear to me that it's the same people in the same way or in a different way, different positions, the same people.' Labour veteran Ian Cavana, who was unsuccessful in the vote for Provost, said some members of the administration had been 'vile' and highlighted internal issues within the Conservatives by quoting Provost Campbell who he said had told him that he hadn't spoken to former council leader Dowey in two years. Provost Campbell did not respond to the claim. Those councillors who did speak in support of Cllr Campbell as Provost and Cllr Connolly as leader almost entirely avoided mention of the situation that led to them being there in the first place. Councillor Alec Clark, who would go on to be voted in as depute leader, simply backed his colleague for leader by saying: 'He is a well-known businessman, I trust his character. 'He has integrity, which he has shown throughout his working life. I think there's no better candidate to take this council forward.'
