Call for an end to party in-fighting as Councillors become 'politicians'

A LONG-serving councillor has warned of the increasing level of political in-fighting on Cornwall Council as the county’s elected representatives battle to keep their seats next year.

In the May 2021 elections, boundary changes will come into effect and the number of Cornwall Councillors will reduce from 123 to 87.

Looe councillor Armand Toms, who left the Conservative Party in 2013 to stand as an Independent, feels that the political wrangling he has observed in recent years will only get worse as the election date approaches.

’I have seen, and been the victim of, the ramping up of the political campaign for next year’s elections,’ he said.

’As the opportunities for people to stand are reduced, so there will be much in-fighting for nominations supported by political groups.

’Having been at the Council for 17 years I can remember the days when councillors worked together and helped each other, which has been lost with this generation of politicians.’

Armand says it’s his belief that being a Cornwall Councillor ’is not about representing a political group, but working for your community’.

He adds that much of the work he carries out in Looe and St Martin’s he would not publicise on social media as he ’has the respect of those in need’.

’People vote for a person to lead the community, not to be led by political expediency,’ he said.

Last month, a Conservative councillor had to admit he made an error in sending an email to all councillors urging Tory colleagues to “attack, attack, destroy” the council’s leading Cabinet.

Newquay councillor Olly Monks sent the email intended for his Conservative colleagues to all 123 members of the council instead – including those his dig was aimed at.

The short response was made in relation to comments attributed to Cabinet member Tim Dwelly who had been reported in a national newspaper calling for more government support for tourism businesses rather than having a full summer season.

Asked about the email, Cllr Monks said: ’I was trying to send a message to Conservative colleagues and make some political capital out of this. Unfortunately I accidentally sent it to everyone.’