Now Guildford’s Conservatives Put Themselves Out of Touch ‘Officially’

Published on: 9 May, 2019
Updated on: 11 May, 2019

Cllr Paul Spooner

The Conservative Group at Millmead has cut off communications with The Guildford Dragon NEWS because of an opinion piece published in the wake of the local election results.

In an email to Guildford Dragon editor Martin Giles, Conservative group leader Paul Spooner, until last week the leader of GBC, wrote: “We will not be commenting going forward given your continuing use of opinion pieces in such a [sic] outrageous and biased way.

“Please do not contact the Conservative Group at GBC.”

The article that has provoked the response was The Dragon Says: Out of Touch, Out of Reach, Out on Their Ear.

Editor Giles said: “It is a great shame that Cllr Spooner has responded in this way but I cannot say I am surprised, because we have experienced similar episodes before.

“Mr Spooner and a few of his colleagues seem intolerant of criticism. It should not be forgotten that several members of his own party who dared to speak out were deselected before the election.

“Our right to express opinion and criticise those who govern us is very important. We all have the right to do so and ‘Opinion pieces’, a normal media component, are a part of that.

“Despite Mr Spooner’s email, the views of Conservatives and their supporters will continue to be welcome here and there are other Conservatives outside the Millmead group who, I hope, will continue to communicate and share their views.”

Responses to Now Guildford’s Conservatives Put Themselves Out of Touch ‘Officially’

RWL Davies Reply

May 10, 2019 at 6:29 am

A reasoned and statesmanlike response by Cllr Spooner. Would someone please help him to put his toys back in his pram.
David Wragg Reply

May 10, 2019 at 9:10 am

How unprofessional is this? In many years of dealing with the media I always found that one had to communicate more with the sceptics, not less.

Nationally and locally, the Conservative Party seems to have a death wish. As a former Conservative, and at one time a constituency chairman, far away from Guildford, it distresses me that we have the worst prime minister ever and complete chaos in the Commons and in the Cabinet. Guildford is the same, in miniature.
Lisa Wright Reply

May 10, 2019 at 1:25 pm

We warned the Conservatives that pushing through a vote on the Local Plan during purdah would be political suicide but yet again, they refused to listen to public opinion.
Paul Robinson Reply

May 10, 2019 at 2:33 pm

What a childish arrogant response from a one-time council leader and a surprising reaction for someone who only just managed to keep their seat. It clearly shows the Conservatives have learnt nothing and don’t want to learn from the results of the local election.

Good luck to Paul Spooner in four year’s time if this is his behaviour.
Anthony Edwards Reply

May 10, 2019 at 4:48 pm

Unsurprising. Mr Spooner ignored the views of thousands of Guildford residents who officially objected to his Local Plan and they, in turn, booted his party out of its position of dominance. You’d imagine he might be contrite, apologetic, ready to remedy wrongs. But no; like a five-year-old schoolboy, he’s going to sulk in the corner.

I sincerely hope, however, that local Guildford media will continue to report on his actions and activities even if he may refuse to respond with a reasoned comment.

Anthony Edwards is a spokesperson for the Wisley Action Group (WAG)
Ben Paton Reply

May 10, 2019 at 11:02 pm

Reminds me of the late, “great” Robert Maxwell.

One of the problems with the so-called ‘Conservative Party’ in Guildford is that it does not have values that Conservatives recognise. It doesn’t seem to have any regard to the Nolan Principles. And its choice of ‘leaders’ is abysmal.
Paul Robinson Reply

May 11, 2019 at 8:29 pm

An old saying came to mind, “Keep your friends close, and your (perceived) enemies closer.”