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# New Conservative group leader hopes “tribal politics” won’t prevent alternative views being heard at Burntwood Town Council
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/new-conservative-group-leader-hopes-tribal-politics-wont-prevent-alternative-views-being-heard-at-burntwood-town-council/
- Published: 2022-05-13T07:37:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-05-12T21:36:25.000Z
- Description: The new leader of the opposition group says he hopes “tribal politics” will not prevent alternative voices being heard at Burntwood Town Council.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Burntwood, Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:11, News

The new leader of the opposition group says he hopes “tribal politics” will not prevent alternative voices being heard at Burntwood Town Council.

Cllr Wai-Lee Ho has replaced Cllr Robin Place at the helm of the town council Conservative group.

The Highfield ward representative – who also sits on Lichfield District Council – said that despite his new title, he did not want to see political allegiances at the heart of local decision-making.

> “I’ve never really liked the term ‘leader of the opposition’ for a town or parish council – it is too adversarial for this level of government, where politics really shouldn’t come into play.  
>  
> “My message to the Labour group are the words spoken to me at a being a councillor seminar by their current leader, who was one of the guest speakers alongside Cllr Mike Wilcox, and that’s ‘we are not the enemy – we hold the leadership to account’.  
>  
> “I would add that we are also here to offer an alternative point of view and I hope that point of view isn’t blinded by tribal politics.”  
>  
> Cllr Wai-Lee Ho, Burntwood Town Council

Cllr Ho also paid tribute to his predecessor.

> “I would like to extend my immense gratitude to Cllr Place for his leadership of the Conservative group.  
>  
> “He always encouraged us to speak our mind and vote the way we wished as individual councillors.  
>  
> “It is a surprise and privilege to have been asked to take over as leader – it’s a role I hadn’t sought. That said, I am determined to work hard for Burntwood and our community.  
>  
> “I look forward to working with the new chief executive Steve Lightfoot and Cllr Sue Woodward (leader of the town council) as I start settling into my new role.”  
>  
> Cllr Wai-Lee Ho, Burntwood Town Council