Look forward with purpose, not backwards with poison

That was the plea from the Liberal Democrats message as the astonishing civil war between two rival Tory groups in Sevenoaks continues.

Current Conservative councillors traded personal insults with former Tory colleagues at an extraordinary meeting of Sevenoaks District Council last Thursday.

And one member of the Council’s Cabinet refused even to vote in support of her own Leader.

Evidence of the bitter breakdown in personal and political relations within the Conservative Party was on full public display.

The Extraordinary meeting was called by the rebel group of former Tories known as the ‘West Kent Independents’ to debate a motion of no-confidence in the Leader of the Council, Roddy Hogarth. The motion was eventually carried by 24 votes to 15.

The winning majority comprised Liberal Democrats, Greens and the rebel Conservatives.

Liberal Democrats councillors made it clear in our speeches that we are appalled by the behaviour and attitudes of both the remaining Conservative leadership and their former colleagues. Since the 2023 elections they have each prioritised their personal rivalries over the performance of the Council
and its services.

We called for a new sort of leadership in the Council. The Council faces many challenges that are not being properly addressed.

Lib Dem group leader Alan Leaman said: “The Council should work with and for all its residents and engage the public in its work. 

"The new Local Plan, which sets out sites for new housing development in the District, should be based on detailed dialogue with local communities, not just the proposals of landowners and developers.

"The Council should be leading on action on the environment and climate and to support those who are struggling with the cost of living.

"The details of the Council’s reform of waste collection (which should boost recycling and save money) have been left to the last minute and remain uncertain."

The Leader of the Council will decide in the next few days whether he will resign or try to tough it out and carry on. Whichever he chooses, the instability at the Council will continue until the bickering stops and better leadership is in place.