| CALL FOR GROWN UP POLITICS |
| Thursday, 26 June 2008 | |
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John Pugh is calling on local Conservatives disillusioned by the current disputes amongst Southport Conservatives to join or work with the Liberal Democrats for a better Southport. In an open letter he calls on disgruntled Tory members and activists to join or work with the Liberal Democrats as a party where diversity of opinion is respected, relished and tolerated. "When loyal councillors like Cllr Pearson are unaccountably suspended, Jeremy Myers, the President, resigns in protest and the ex-leader Cllr Byrom defects to Labour you know something very odd is happening. All have been lifelong Conservatives. "Internal debates and personal differences occur in all parties but except in totalitarian regimes its tolerated and regarded as normal. It seems now in Southport Conservatives circles that if you are not a loyal part of the new regime ,you're an enemy. That's neither mature politics nor healthy.The people of Southport want a more 'grown up',less party-political kind of politics. "If Nick Clegg and I can get on well and work together despite voting in different ways on the Lisbon Treaty - liberally minded Tories might find it easier working for the good of Southport with the local Liberal Democrats than with the new clique that has taken over what was the Southport Conservative Association. "With an independent tradition almost as old as the Southport Liberal Association the local Conservative Association now seems in thrall to Sefton Conservatives." |