Democracy Attacked

12.00.00am GMT Tue 1st Nov 2005

A Tory motion to restrict motions to Council was passed at today's County Council meeting, against combined opposition from the three other groups. The motion will restrict the number of words used to an arbitrary 250.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Roz Smith said, "I would have supported the idea if it had been guidance. I agree that short, sharp and snappy is very effective. But sometimes a motion needs some background explanation - and it is better to have this written than made during a speech. Trying to give that background verbally will use up Council time and restrict the number of speeches that can be made by other members.

"I am sorry that the Tories are so anti democracy that they are trying now to restrict one of the few opportunities for local members to share their local problems and for the opposition to suggest policies."