Lib Dems Slam Conservative Hypocrisy over Judicial Review as Bedfordshire Tories' Disarray Goes on

2.29.00pm GMT Mon 12th Nov 2007

The lack of co-operation between Conservatives on the County Council and the "Central Bedfordshire" districts was foreseen by the Lib Dems, along with the negative impact it is having on progress towards a new Central Bedfordshire authority

Bedfordshire County Council Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Peter Blaine has slammed Bedfordshire Tories for their inability to co-operate and work together in the interests of local residents in the county.

Commenting, Cllr Blaine said:

"No doubt Conservative County Councillor Hand's constituents in Brickhill, and most other residents of the County, are aghast at the Conservative County Council's risking huge sums on the Judicial Review of the Government's decision to abolish the County Council and set up two "Unitary Councils" instead. What a pity, then, that when I and other opposition councillors called a special County Council meeting to stop this pointless extravagance neither Cllr Hand nor any other Tory voted with us. Some absented themselves and a few abstained.'

"The disarray and mutual antagonism amongst Bedfordshire Tories over the Unitary issue is doing great harm. Conservative South and Mid Beds District Councils have now broken off discussions with the County Council about arrangements for the setting up of the so-called "Central Bedfordshire" Unitary Council amid very public and bitter mutual criticism.'

"The real reason for this may be that the County Council Tories propose to dominate the interim arrangements for setting up the "Central Bedfordshire" Council and the District Council Tories fear the government may let this happen. This was predictable. My response to a government consultation some time ago said: "…co-operation between the County and the two Districts during the transition process may be unsatisfactory….especially if the County Council is seen as the dominant partner…. no partner should be seen to be dominant.'

"It is a pity that Bedfordshire Tories are unable to co-operate with one another in providing the best possible future local government in Bedfordshire in spite of their disagreements."