Lib Dems Call on Local MP to Disassociate Herself From Controversial Petition

Published on: 18 Oct, 2016
Updated on: 18 Oct, 2016

The petition as it appears on the UK Government and Parliament website

The petition as it appeared on the UK Government and Parliament website yesterday (October 17)

Guildford’s Lib Dems are calling on Guildford’s MP Anne Milton to disassociate herself from a controversial petition to parliament which calls on the government to make trying to make the UK a member of the EU again a treasonable offence.

The petition, on the official UK and Parliament website, was created by Cllr Christian Holliday, who represents Burpham at Guildford Borough Council (GBC). He has subsequently been suspended from the Tory group at Millmead by its leader Paul Spooner, who spoke in favour of the “Remain” campaign during the EU referendum campaign.

Zoe Franklin, the Lib Dem’s prospective parliamentary candidate

Zöe Franklin, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Guildford, has written to Anne Milton asking her to disassociate herself from the petition.

Ms Franklin said: “This is an insult not only to our own residents, the majority of whom voted to stay in Europe, but a fundamental attack on free speech in this country and the right to campaign for political change.

“As a Liberal Democrat I fully support EU membership and I also fundamentally believe that elected representatives must treat those with other views with tolerance and respect.

Cllr Christian Holliday

“Cllr Holliday has shown a total disregard for these basic principals with his petition. The Conservative party both locally and nationally must make it clear that Cllr Holliday is not in any way representing their views and expel him from the party.

“In my view Cllr Holliday should resign his seat on Guildford Borough Council immediately.”

She added: “At a time when the number of racially motivated attacks on people who may not be of UK origin has reached shameful levels I can only condemn this petition in the strongest terms.”

Cllr Caroline Reeves

Alongside Zöe Franklin’s statement, GBC Lib Dems have indicated that they are submitting a formal complaint to the council’s Standards Committee.

Speaking on behalf of the Liberal Democrat group, its leader, Cllr Caroline Reeves, said: “Having posted on social media and created the petition using his Councillor title, Christian Holliday has failed to uphold the majority of the Nolan principles which he swore to keep when he was elected as a borough councillor. This is totally unacceptable.”

Responses to Lib Dems Call on Local MP to Disassociate Herself From Controversial Petition

Paul Bishop Reply

October 19, 2016 at 8:18 pm

Seriously? Have these councillors got nothing better to do than pointless party politics. Stop calling for someone to agree with you and get on with being a councillor please!
Jim Allen Reply

October 22, 2016 at 6:33 pm

The Nolan Principles

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

He did.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

He has clearly demonstrated his interest from the start.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Depends on which side of in or out you sit.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

He has.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

He has been extremely open!

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

He is exceptionally honest.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

He is the most open and honest of all our local councillors – just because you don’t like his position does not make him a bad person.
John Perkins Reply

October 23, 2016 at 9:42 am

Ms. Franklin states: “As a Liberal Democrat I fully support EU membership”.

No room for independent thought there then.