The decision by members of Burntwood Town Council to choose a Conservative representative to fill a vacant seat has been branded “a disgraceful action” by a Labour rival.
Councillors voted overwhelmingly to choose Cllr Norma Bacon – who also represents Curborough on Lichfield District Council – to fill the vacancy in Chasetown ward.
Labour has accused the Tories of going back on an agreement to allow them to select Rob Birch to take the place as the seat had been held by one of their own representatives, Keith Willis-croft.
But just one Conservative member backed Mr Birch in the vote – a move Cllr Darren Ennis said amounted to nothing more than desperate tactics.
He said: “I was hoping that the integrity of an agreement between two leaders of local political parties would hold up. It was a sad day for co-operation and working together.
In the council meeting I heard murmurs from the Conservatives that no agreement was made – if that was the case then why would the Labour party not fight for their seat through an election? Why would we take it for co-option, knowing that if it went to a vote we wouldn’t win?
“The sad truth is an agreement was made and a large proportion of the Conservative councillors decided that keeping the word of their Leader wasn’t important. And what did they gain from this, really, an increased majority of from 16 to 17.”
Cllr Ennis, who also represents the Chasetown ward said the actions of the Conservative group had undermined the trust between the two groups on Burntwood Town Council.
“This is the most disappointing thing I have seen as a councillor,” he said. “People I have worked close with, people who I have co-operated with for the benefit of the town have used desperate tactics for no gain.
“I would have not had been fussed if they had been honest and said they were going to fight for the seat and made it a fair fight and let the people decide.
“A disgraceful action has happened, but we must move on for the betterment of Burntwood – but this will be done now with sadness and distrust in the back of my mind.”
