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27
Nov
Ripon councillor explains switch to Lib Dems — a minute before polling day
Ripon city councillor Pauline McHardy has explained why she has joined the Liberal Democrats.
As previously reported by the Stray Ferret, both Cllr McHardy and Cllr Chris Hardisty have switched from unaligned independents to Lib Dems in recent weeks.
The Liberal Democrats issued a press release announcing the news at 11.59pm last night — one minute before polling day in the city. The release included a photo of the duo on Kirkgate.
Today’s poll asks Riponians whether they have confidence in mayor, Cllr Barbara Brodigan, who is also a Lib Dem. Further details are available here.
It means three of the 12 city councillors are now Lib Dems; two (Cllrs Tony Duncan and Julieann Martin-Long) are unaligned independents and the other seven belong to the Independents Putting Ripon Before Party Politics group led by Cllr Andrew Williams.
The Independents group lost control of the town hall in September due to defections and an alliance between the Lib Dems and unaligned independents.
But Cllr Sid Hawke’s U-turn and Sherrie Hunt’s by-election win last week has reasserted the Independents’ majority.
The press release claimed the city council was “thrown into chaos” under the leadership of Cllr Williams and previous mayor Cllr Jackie Crozier, with three of the council’s four members of staff resigning.
It said Cllr Brodigan's election as mayor in September after Cllr Crozier resigned had been “blighted by a backlash from the independents” and today’s poll was an attempt to oust her.
The release added:
“It is thought to be among the first of its kind in targeting an individual and the result will not be binding - despite costing local taxpayers thousands of pounds.”
Councillor McHardy said in a statement:
I became an Independent Putting Ripon before Party Politics in 2007. For quite a few years I agreed with their aspirations for the city and its residents but then began to be concerned about the way things were prioritised.
As fellow councillor Sid Hawkes recently said, ‘If it wasn’t Cllr Williams’ way, it was no way’.
After Cllr Brodigan was elected and I got to know her, I realised we shared the same aspirations and values for our great city and she works so very hard.
After a great deal of thought I decided to join the Liberal Democrats and already I can see I made the right choice.
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