Salisbury Conservatives criticised for 'throwing teddies out the cot'

Cllr Charles McGrath, Conservative group leader and councillor for Milford, said the decision follows a recent meeting, planning the strategy for the administration, whose outcome was "disappointing" and did not reflect the Conservatives’ priorities for the city.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Cllr Victoria Charleston, said she is "deeply disappointed" with the decision, saying the Conservative group "has thrown its teddies out of the cot, abandoning cooperation and power sharing that the people of Salisbury told us they wanted".

Cllr Annie Riddle (Ind) also said she was "hugely disappointed that the Conservatives are no longer committed to working in partnership".

Labour's Ian Tomes added that "it is sad that the Conservatives gave up at the first hurdle."

Salisbury's Conservative group

Explaining the party's decision to withdraw, Cllr McGrath said: “We entered into the four-way administration with the intention to bring more powers back to Salisbury, including greater control over footways repairs which was an issue raised to us repeatedly on the doorstep.

"Sadly the other three leaders did not agree that this was a priority for Salisbury, adopting a tone that fell short of my expectations as a fellow member of the coalition."

'No place for infighting'

As a result of the Conservatives' decision, Cllr Charleston said there is now "no power sharing administration in place, and no formal opposition".

"The Conservatives talk about ‘taking power back'. It was Conservative run Wiltshire Council that got rid of Salisbury District Council and left our community feeling ignored," she added.

"It’s rather ironic that Charles McGrath, as both a city councillor and a Wiltshire Councillor wants to ‘take power back’ from himself."

Cllr Charleston went on to say that she thought the Conservative group "had outgrown their infighting and pettiness" adding: "Frankly, I see no place for party politics and infighting at the City Council and the Liberal Democrats in Salisbury will continue to work with all who wish to see our city thrive, ensuring strong leadership, vision, and investment in our area."

'Hugely disappointed'

Cllr Annie Riddle (Ind) said she stood as an independent councillor because she could "see the damage that party point-scoring was causing, and now [the Conservatives] are offering us more of the same".

In a statement, she said: "Last week, as we group leaders began discussing strategic priorities for the upcoming budget, Cllr McGrath introduced an uncosted proposal for us to ‘take back control’ of the city’s pavements.

"He’d been talking to his Wiltshire Council colleagues and they were happy to hand over responsibility.

"Well, everybody would like to see our pavements kept in a better, safer state of repair. Wiltshire have failed to maintain them properly for a decade.

"In an ideal world, I’d love to relieve them of the problem.

"But with taxes rising and public services shrinking, no responsible council could take on such a huge commitment without knowing the cost implications and without being given adequate funds to do the job.

"Everything that Wiltshire took from us and now ‘gives’ back comes with a bill attached. Never forget that."

'Conservatives gave up at first hurdle'

Labour leader Ian Tomes said: "With a joint administration, there are clearly going to be priorities for the city that reflect the joint administration and the wishes of the electorate.

"Compromise is a key part of joint administration. It is sad that the Conservatives gave up at the first hurdle.

"Throughout the land, there does seem to be a conflict within the Tory party between those who are 'true blue' Conservatives and those who a 'Labour Light' in terms of policy. 

"With the continuous changes of Conservative leadership in Salisbury, 5 leaders in 4 years, those conflicts remain in Salisbury."

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