News from Harrow Labour

Harrow Conservatives deeply divided after Council leader quits

The announcement that Conservative councillors David and Marilyn Ashton that they will not be standing in the elections in May has come as a shock, but show deep divisions in the Conservative Group.

However, given the continual divisions within the Conservative Group, no one should be surprised that Cllr David Ashton has simply had enough. Of course, it is always possible that he went before he was pushed. We understand that the Tories will be electing a new leader in early March and this will bring the continuing Tory splits to the fore again, as it did in the election for the Deputy Leadership.

Cllr Bill Stephenson, Leader of the Labour Group, said:

“Cllr Ashton’s resignation is a major blow to the Tories in Harrow. I have no doubt that a major factor in coming to this decision was the never ending splits and quarrels within the Tory Group. These will be underlined again when they elect a new leader at their AGM in early March. It looks as if they will choose someone who is either very right wing or very, very right wing. This could mean even more damaging ideological cuts and redundancies. Only Labour will be able to offer sensible moderate leadership and policies at this difficult time.”

Other news from Harrow Labour

• Harrow Labour and Lib Dems join forces to slam Tory scrutiny failure - 26 February 2010
• MPs, anti-poverty groups, and churches unite against vulture funds - 15 February 2010
• Poll shows Harrow residents still very unhappy with Council - 12 February 2010