Calm Response from Council Leader to News of Resignation

Published on: 21 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 23 Feb, 2019

Cllrs Paul Spooner and Nils Christiansen

Council Leader Paul Spooner has reacted calmly this afternoon (February 21, 2019) to news of the resignation of one of his fellow Conservative councillors at GBC.

See also: ‘Your Administration is Unaccountable’ Says Resigning Tory to Council Leader

Cllr Spooner has a reputation for shooting from the hip with some of his Twitter retorts to criticism but on this occasion, despite some damning criticism from Cllr Nils Christiansen within his letter of resignation, he appeared phlegmatic. After giving some of his views on the reasons behind Cllr Christiansen’s decision the council leader thanks his former colleague for his contribution and wishes him well.

The Conservatives at GBC still have a majority of 14 over all other parties combined.

Cllr Spooner wrote to The Dragon:

“I read Cllr Nils Christiansen’s letter of resignation from the Conservative Party on social media this morning. I have been aware that Cllr Christiansen had been unhappy for some time because of his strong opinions on Brexit on a national level, because of his failure to achieve re-selection for his ward [Holy Trinity] with Guildford Conservative Association and because he was disappointed not to be appointed as a portfolio holder (lead member) at Guildford Borough Council.

“I thank him for his contribution to the council over the past few years, most recently as chairman of an EAB [Executive Advisory Board], and whilst I understand his issues with national policies of the party, it does seem strange that he has resigned from the party and will therefore automatically no longer be able to remain in the Conservative group at GBC, just a few weeks prior to the end of his term of office.

“Cllr Christiansen has already advised the leadership at GBC that he will not be standing in May. We wish him well.”

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