Councillor quits the Lib Dems (From The Oxford Times)
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Councillor quits the Lib Dems
9:30am Wednesday 18th April 2012 in Abingdon
Angela Lawrence
A PROMINENT Abingdon Liberal Democrat has resigned from the party over its role in Government.
Angela Lawrence, pictured, has represented the Lib Dems for more than 20 years as Abingdon Northcourt member for Vale of White Horse District Council.
But she resigned this week citing disappointment at the party’s role in the Coalition Government with the Conservatives.
She is now the only independent sitting on the district council and Abingdon Town Council.
In a statement she said: “I have resigned from the Liberal Democrat Party because I am, and always have been, unhappy about the Coalition Government.
“It has been a very difficult decision and I have thought long and hard about it, staying involved nationally in the hope of having some influence.
“For me the NHS Bill has been the last straw. My party, at conference, voted against it, yet the bill has gone through.
“I have no quarrel with the Lib Dems locally and I have no intention of joining any other political party.
“I will remain on Vale of White Horse District Council, serving the district and my own ward as well as I have always tried to do, but as an independent.”
The health and social care bill will restructure the health service in England and give GPs control of more of the NHS budget.
Mrs Lawrence was first elected to the district council in 1991 and she has been deputy leader of the authority.
Comments(9)
steve king
says...
12:26pm Wed 18 Apr 12
L0RD PETER McVEY OX2 6EG
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4:44pm Wed 18 Apr 12
Feelingsmatter wrote:UKIP
Well done! I fleetingly joined the Lib Dems after being a Labour voter for many year because of the weapons of mass destruction lies, but left again after the coalition was formed. Sadly there are no other real parties to follow now; the three major ones have all melted into a big samey mish mash.
abingdonian
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4:45pm Wed 18 Apr 12
Feelingsmatter
says...
7:01pm Wed 18 Apr 12
hp1
says...
5:37pm Thu 19 Apr 12
dgqabingdon
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8:52pm Thu 19 Apr 12
12:26pm Wed 18 Apr 12
Good on you Angela, a woman of principal, we need more people like you !”
Steve, as I don't know Angela I have to rely on your opinion but I think the voters in Northcourt are entitled to their say, was Angela elected as a lib dem or as Angela fighting on their behalf, if the former they have lost a voice. It would certainly be an honourable thing if she relinquished her nominee for deputy mayor (as the lib dem nomineee) and maybe offered to offer a by election to let the people of Northcort choose their councillor.
steve king
says...
7:29am Fri 20 Apr 12
dgqabingdon
says...
8:43pm Fri 20 Apr 12
Feelingsmatter says...
10:25am Wed 18 Apr 12