Bournemouth Election Blow to Conservatives
April 27, 2010 8:01 AM
In the middle of one of the closest fought General Election campaigns in years a Conservative Councillor in the Bournemouth East parliamentary constituency has defected to the Liberal Democrats.
The Bournemouth Echo reported Councillor Michael Griffiths, who represents the Littledown and Iford ward, as claiming that crucial council decisions are made by a 'ruling clique' and that Conservative councillors are 'whipped' into agreeing.
Explaining to voters why he quit, Councillor Griffiths cited the issues of Townsend School, the town centre master vision, and the plans to outsource council services as examples where councillors were not allowed to question decisions. Councillor Griffiths was also critical of David Cameron and his performance as Conservative leader.
Attempts by the Conservative Group leader to dismiss Michael Griffiths comments as being motivated by 'party political reasons' ignore the sustained public criticism of his Tory Council's decisions.
The news is a further a blow to Littledown and Iford Conservative Councillor Nick King. His attempt to win the Lib Dem Westminster seat of Mid-Dorset and North Poole from the popular Annette Brooke had already hit the buffers before the surge in Lib Dem support after the televised Leaders debates.
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