Four Conservative councillors in Mid Suffolk have resigned from their party, expressing frustration over their colleagues’ support for Labour’s devolution agenda. The councillors, James Caston, Lavinia Hadingham, Anders Linder, and John Whitehead, have now become independents, leaving just three Conservative members on the council.
The new group, known as the Mid Suffolk Independents, voiced their opposition to the government’s Devolution White Paper, which proposes changes to the structure and governance of local councils. The councillors argued that the plan would lead to the “abolition of the middle tier of local government” and undermine essential local services.
In a statement, the Mid Suffolk Independents, who collectively have 35 years of experience on the council, raised significant concerns about the government’s plan to delay this May’s local elections. The move could potentially extend councillors’ terms from the usual four years to as long as seven, without prior consultation with local residents.
“We are appalled that the Conservative party has accepted the government’s proposal to abolish borough and district councils, which have been essential in delivering core services to local communities,” the new independents said. “This plan would undermine democracy and erode local control over services that matter most to residents.”
The resignations will not affect the control of the council, with the Green Party continuing to hold the majority of seats. Before the 2023 elections, the council was run by a 16-seat minority Conservative administration.
A Call for Change and Collaboration
In response, Andy Mellen, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, offered support for the councillors’ decision, saying, “We welcome and respect that four of our opposition colleagues have acted in accordance with their values and conscience, and we believe it is in the best interests of our residents and the communities we serve. We understand the difficulty of the decision they have made and look forward to a growing degree of pragmatic collaboration moving forward.”
The government maintains that consolidating councils will save money and improve services, arguing that fewer councils with broader responsibilities could save up to £2 billion in the long run.
Despite the ongoing debate, it’s clear that the issue of local governance and devolution continues to divide political parties and councils across the UK. While the government argues for cost-cutting reforms, many local representatives fear the loss of valuable services and democratic oversight in the process.
The local Conservative party has yet to issue a statement regarding the resignations.
For more updates on local government changes and the ongoing devolution debate, keep following London Pulse News.
