Tories Whipped to Support their Cabinet - Against their Previous Wishes

12.00.00am GMT Wed 11th Jan 2006

At yesterday's County Council meeting the Liberal Democrats raised the question of the County Cabinet ignoring Council advice on housing distribution in its representations on the South East Plan. In November, the County Council voted by a narrow majority in favour of Option 1 (focussing on Bicester and Didcot) over Option 2 (focussing on Bicester, Didcot and Wantage/Grove). However, the Cabinet meeting on 6th December decided to ignore Council and go for Option 2.

Yesterday, all the Tories fell into line behind their Cabinet colleagues' decision, regardless of the personal preferences they had expressed in November. Cllr Dermot Roaf, leader of the Liberal Democrats said, "It is quite amazing. In November, some Conservative councillors were in favour of Option 1 and some in favour of Option 2. Yesterday they seemed to have changed their minds and were all in favour of Option 1. Have they been leant on by their senior colleagues to fall into line? It appears that the Tory whips have been at work again, and like sheep they have allowed the Cabinet to do their thinking for them."

Cllr Zoe Patrick, Deputy Leader of the Opposition said, "What is even more baffling is that the Tory cabinet have not only ignored the advice of the democratically elected full Council, but also the views of the public who responded to the consultation exercise, and the advice given in the report by planning officers. It is a sad day for Oxfordshire residents who can have no confidence that their concerns will be listened to."