Tory squabble continues as opposition leader quits
Alex Gore • Published 23 Oct 2011 08:00
8 Comments
POLITICAL infighting among Reading Conservative Party came to a head this week with the resignation of the borough's opposition leader.
An emotional Andrew Cumpsty told Tuesday's Reading Borough Council meeting he would continue as a backbencher but plans to relinquish control ahead of the local party's annual general meeting in January.
Cllr Cumpsty insists he is stepping down because of increasing work pressures but senior party sources claim he has become disillusioned with a faction inside the Reading East Tory association which wants Cllr Richard Willis - who made an abortive bid last year to become deputy leader - to take the helm.
The Caversham councillor, who led his party into Coalition control of the council with the Lib Dems last year, had a quiver in his voice as he addressed fellow councillors. Alongside him close ally and deputy leader Cllr Jeanette Skeats appeared on the verge of tears as Cllr Cumpsty said: "I have had five very happy years in this position and achieved a great deal."
He also thanked partner Andrea, "the most important person", for his support and added that he had chosen to make the announcement in front of his friends, "many of whom are on my own team".
Cllr Cumpsty, who told The Chronicle he made his decision six months ago, has also jumped ship and joined the Reading West Tory association with fellow councillors Mark Ralph and Jamie Chowdhary. More than a dozen members are also understood to have quit the party in the wake of Cllr Chowdhary's deselection from Peppard ward in July.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Cumpsty said he would continue his role representing the county's six unitary authorities on the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
He added: "I am really proud of what we have done in my five years. Whoever the new leader is they will have my total support."
Reading East chairwoman Alison Swaddle, denying a split in her association, said she was "grateful" for all Cllr Cumpsty had achieved.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 20 Oct 11
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Punkawalla
Unregistered User
Oct 23, 16:57
Report commentThis post shouldn't be too hard to fill; overweight, cretinous bald fellows are two-a-penny in local government...
Recommend?
Yes 24
No 0
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The Pollster
Unregistered User
Oct 24, 00:32
Report commentAs the returning officer in a rigorous, scientific, peer reviewed opinion poll conducted in Reading Chronicle (http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2011/10/18/54794-reading-tory-leader-quits/) I hereby declare the final results as follows:-
Total votes cast: 1,171
The overall standing of each candidate is as follows: The Downing Street Cat +236; Cumpsty +42; Werrity +19; Ballsdon -28; Ralph -39; Stevens -42; Skeats -49; Willis -52; Warman -53; Ryn -58; Janjua -59; Stanway -72.
I therefore declare that the Downing Street Cat is the preferred group leader for the Conservatives in the Borough of Reading.
Notes to the Editor; Apart from Cllr Cumpsty not one of the existing Con Councillors achieved a positive rating from the public. Clearly Andy Cumpsty was considered head and shoulders above the rest and demonstrates that he held and maintains the confidence of the voters. Ballsdon proves this story has legs as she is clearly on the move in more ways than one and should be watched - a great supporter of Willis for leader. The poll was conducted according to the usual high, ethical, standards of public consultations in the Borough and therefore should be widely accepted by every councillor and dismissed by the usual suspects. It is clear that we have listened and have not in anyway attempted to influence the outcome of this extensive, impartial survey.
Recommend? Yes 40
No 13
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Howard Thomas
Unregistered User
Oct 24, 01:21
Report commentLets be fair here .........we would probably get more roundabouts from the bloody cat !
Recommend? Yes 17
No 1
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The Captain
Unregistered User
Oct 24, 10:42
Report comment"The poll was conducted according to the usual high, ethical, standards of public consultations in the Borough..."
One always admires unintentional humour in a post...
Recommend? Yes 20
No 0
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Ellie
Unregistered User
Oct 26, 15:19
Report comment"This post shouldn't be too hard to fill; overweight, cretinous bald fellows are two-a-penny in local government..."
And let us not forget the tall, lanky, obnoxious type..
Recommend? Yes 2
No 14
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Mike
Unregistered User
Oct 26, 19:28
Report comment -
Howard Thomas
Unregistered User
Nov 5, 08:24
Report commentI don't think the Pollster's humour was unintentional Captain !
Holding 'consultations' and then ignoring the public is normal practice for RBC.
Take the Shinfield Road............The public clearly want the roundabouts back, the TRL report makes the case for the safty of doing so , but Cllr Page and his cronies fail to represent the public as usual , prefering to be dictatorial and will go on to waste further public funds in tinkering with the timings of the lights when it is obvious to the biggest fool that lights can never make traffic flow in this area !!!!!!!!!!!!
Recommend? Yes 4
No 0
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Mr Whippy
Unregistered User
Nov 8, 18:51
Report commentHoward, we need only hear the name 'Tony Page' to know dubious practices and other foul deeds are afoot!
Recommend? Yes 3
No 1
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