SINCE the news of the imminent resignation of Marion Winship as Conservative Group leader broke I am advised that the Conservatives in the district council have never been more united. As a new leader cannot be elected until Cllr Winship finally stands down on August 31, and as there will probably be as many hats thrown in the ring as there are Cabinet members, it is difficult to see how this unity will continue. Add to this a probable challenge to Cllr Winship's leadership of the council from within her own party, and the knives will be out once more.
This makes an observer of local politics turn thankfully to the Independent, non-aligned group but, sadly, all is not well there either although the problem is not of their making. They have been infiltrated by dissident Conservatives who, by styling themselves 'Forest Blues', appear to aim to keep the allegiance of the Conservatives who voted them into office without the need to adhere to party discipline or accept the Conservative whip. To an outsider the choice of name is slightly odd, being more redolent of a variety of cheese than a political group, related, perhaps, to Danish Blue. (Still retaining the Conservative flavour but lighter and with less calories perhaps)
On the positive side they have swelled the numbers of the Independent group, with the dual results that more seats are available to the Independents numerically on the various committees and that they are now the official opposition, out-numbering the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups. The downside is that this has been bought at a high price. A true Independent makes up his or her own mind on any particular issue, without recourse to any party policy or direction on that matter. If, as it is rumoured, the Forest Blues are being courted by the Conservatives to return to the fold, then their Independent integrity will be jeopardised and if they do cross the floor once more any conviction they have about anything will become very questionable indeed.
It is against this background that another possible Independent, Tony Pickthall, is seeking election at Mitcheldean. He is apparently sufficiently independent-spirited that he has refused help in the tedious and time-consuming business of delivering his election leaflets and so, if elected, he will swell the numbers of the truly independent-minded. This is to be applauded as party ideology should have no place in local politics.
As I may be considered partisan I can confirm that I have never met him or even spoken to him but I wish him well. He has experience of local government as he has cut his teeth on Mitcheldean Parish Council so he knows the shark-infested waters he will be swimming in. He sounds like the kind of vigorous person the Forest of Dean District Council and the locality could do with. – Daphne Pearson (Dr), Tinman's Green, Redbrook.