Two Liberal Democrat councillors, including a former borough mayor, have defected to the Conservative party – just six months before the launch of Shropshire’s new unitary council.
Tony Durnell
Tony Durnell, borough councillor for Monkmoor, and David Farmer, ward member
David Farmer
for Bagley, have both signed up as party members and are both set to be named on the list of nominations for candidates for Shropshire Council elections in 2009.
It has not yet been confirmed which wards they will stand for, although Councillor Farmer is expected to contest the Bagley ward.
Both men have cited disillusionment with the Liberal Democrat party at a national level as the main reason behind their joint decision, and have insisted their decision will have no impact upon their duties as local councillors.
Miles Kenny, borough leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the news had come as ‘no surprise’, but in a parting shot accused the pair of not being ‘constructive’ as Liberal Democrat councillors.
Councillor Farmer has represented the Bagley ward on Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council for the past 14 years, and was borough mayor in 2005-6.
Councillor Durnell, who hosted the local Liberal Democrat office in a room at his Monkmoor home, was first elected three years ago.
Councillor Farmer, speaking from Spain while on holiday, said: “I have become disillusioned with the Liberal Democrat party nationally and feel they have lost their way, and I believe the Conservatives are the way forward.
“I hope my constituents understand the reasons behind my decision – I have always done my best to represent them over the past 14 years and I have voted on the issues and not with the party line. I hope to continue to represent them.”
Councillor Durnell said: “It would have been against my principles to try getting voted on to the new Shropshire Council as a Liberal Democrat and then join the Conservatives. I believe I’m being fair and honest with everyone doing this now, and I will still be doing everything I can for people in the Monkmoor ward.”
No one from Shrewsbury and Atcham Conservative Association was available to comment.
Councillor Kenny added: “This saves us an awful problem when it comes to selection for the unitary elections. It comes as no surprise.”
Exclusive by Peter Kitchen
