Two Chichester councillors quit Conservatives
Both will sit as independents
Two Chichester councillors have left the Conservative Party.
Martyn Bell, who represents Chichester Central, and Christopher Page, who represents North Mundham & Tangmere, confirmed their decisions today (September 28).
Mr Page stressed that he had ‘absolutely no complaints’ about the way the Conservative Group was running the district council.
He said he intended to continue as an Independent.
He added that his ‘beef’ was with the Conservative Party outside of the district council, more specifically at county level.
The next county council elections are due to take place in May 2021 and Mr Page said two councillors, who he described as ‘hard-working’, had been deselected, so would not be allowed to stand under the Tory banner.
Mr Bell said he made his decision over the the weekend but would not comment further.
If both men remain as Independent councillors, the political make-up at the district council will be 17 Conservative, 10 Liberal Democrat, two Green Party, two Labour, two Local Alliance, and three Independent.