In fact, Independents often held the balance of power and a good job they did of it.
In K&C there are some excellent Conservative candidates just as there on the Labour side.
However, there are utterly useless ones on both sides.
On the Conservative side, William Pascal and Mary Weale are councillors with appalling records when it comes to representing their wards.
Interestingly two councillors who were first rate were Nick Paget-Brown and Tim Coleridge.
They always reacted quickly when contacted.
Weale and Pascal both draw £45,000 year allowances but offer very poor value.
In fact, Councillor Mrs. Pascal is also 'on the payroll'!
This, below, from a Stanley Ward resident....
Good Ward Cllr |
Phantom Cllr |
Dearest Dame,
I have e-mailed the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor William Pascal, in the past two months and, despite his full time salary and support from civil servants, he has failed to respond or even have the courtesy to acknowledge receipt of my e-mails.
The Stanley Ward deserves better than someone who takes all of the benefits and gives nothing back. The Labour Candidate Richard Chute has been working in the Ward to persuade voters to give him and the other Labour Candidates their vote this week. I would be most thankful if you would get the word out that the good voters of the Stanley Ward should punish and expose Councillor Pascal for what he is: someone who is morally guilty of theft for not fulfilling his contractual obligations as a Councillor.
Richard Chute’s local campaigning has been sufficiently effective to persuade Councillor Taylor-Smith to cut his hair to look like a professional. A Labour victory in Stanley might make the Conservatives buck up their ideas and realise that there is no such thing as a safe seat for the idle and complacent for the next four years.
Yours sincerely,The Saint of Stanley.