Tory quits party over county budget cuts
A HUCKNALL councillor has resigned from the Conservative party in protest at the county council's budget.
Robert Rankin described the proposals by Tories at County Hall as "a disgraceful attack on the elderly and vulnerable".
Coun Rankin, who represents Hucknall East for Ashfield District Council, will now become an Independent councillor.
And he says he will contest all future district and county elections as an Independent candidate.
He said: "The Conservatives at County Hall must realise that the needs of Ashfield are totally different to those of Rushcliffe."
The Evening Post revealed this month that County Hall hopes to make £33m in savings from its budget.
Proposed cuts include plans to sell off all the county's residential care homes, axe 475 jobs and close day care centres.
Coun Rankin told the Post: "My philosophy is that you make cuts internally and not externally.
"I have spoken to people in Ashfield who use the day centres and people who are struggling in this recession.
"They are having to pay more and I can't be part of any party that can advocate a budget such as this."
Deputy county council leader Martin Suthers said: "That's his right if that is the way he views it but he is taking a rather distorted view of what we are having to do.
"A very large part of the additional money we are having to find is for the specific purpose of provision for the elderly."
Coun Rankin's resignation comes as Ashfield MP Geoff Hoon and David Kirkham, the former leader of the county council, condemned the proposed budget cuts.
In a letter to county leader Kay Cutts, Labour MP Mr Hoon said: "I am deeply concerned that those who need support the most, the elderly and the infirm, will be hardest hit and I cannot see who will be the beneficiaries of these damaging cuts.
"The extra costs people in Ashfield will now face due to these cuts will far outweigh the cost of the council tax increase you have decided against, highlighting the sheer folly of such a move."
Mr Kirkham, who lost his council seat in the June elections, said: "When I left, the council was in excellent financial shape, with one of the lowest council taxes in the country.
"What we see here is cuts for the sake of cuts, not because they are needed.
"The new administration seems intent on not investing in the people of Ashfield and Notts for no other reason than because they can."
6 Comments
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 8:30PM
“Is Kay Cutts proving to be more of a divisive issue for the Tories than Europe?”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Monday, November 23 2009, 4:16PM
“Ah, what a pitty!”
by Shaz, Rushcliffe
Monday, November 23 2009, 3:58PM
“Unfortunately, Mr Rankin is an Ashfield District Councillor, not a County Councillor. Lets hope his stance will encourage some Tory County Councillors to follow suit!”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Monday, November 23 2009, 3:31PM
“I have just found this gem from the Post a few days after Kay Cutts's election victory:
"A BAG of fish and chips and a glass of wine was enough to celebrate a historic election victory for Tory leader Kay Cutts."
But she has more than made up for it!”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Monday, November 23 2009, 12:10PM
“I think I am right in saying that that is 1 less on the Tory majority, and they only need to lose 1 more (it could happen) and their majority would be gone?
What next?
At least there are some Tories who are willing to stand up for the people out there.
Nevertheless, he must have had an idea that this would happen when he stood and so therefore he is guilty by association.
Martin Suthers can riggle all he likes but the truth is that after only 6 odd months this lot is finished.”
by r m, Spondon Derby
Monday, November 23 2009, 11:38AM
“Cracks are apearing in the smug veneer of the Conservatives as their own councillors realise its not just a bit of fun being in control. Robert Rankin has at least seen that the proposed cuts in services are innevitable with the slash and burn policies being enacted by his former leadership. He should be congratulated for his integrity. The labour party in Notts County for all its faults has always put the people in most need (weakest) first. The Tories always have put the strongest first, usually themselves and big business.”