Unhappy Tory Storey (Croydon Liberal Democrats)

Croydon Liberal Democrats <yourviews@croydonlibdems.org.uk>

Unhappy Tory Storey

May 2, 2006 1:19 PM

Local Tories have been accused of discriminating against women, the elderly and non-white members … by their own members!

Meanwhile, a Tory Councillor has been disqualified for failing to meet the minimum attendance requirement.

Former Coulsdon West Tory Councillor Anna Hawkins claimed the local party has sidelined female and elderly candidates and that 'there are concerns … [that] women and elderly councillors are being phased out …' (Croydon Guardian, 14 Dec 05).

Tory leader Mike Fisher admitted that former Councillor Derek Loughborough felt "his de-selection was because of his age." (Croydon Guardian, 14 Dec 05)

Another Tory Councillor, Audrey-Marie Yates, resigned from the party, accusing Croydon Tories of being intolerant of women with families, and of minorities. This followed another former council colleague, Pat Knight, who went one step further crossing the council floor to join the Lib Dems.

As if all this was not enough yet another Tory, Julian Storey, was recently disqualified as a Councillor for not turning up for any council meetings for SIX MONTHS. In that time, he continued to receive £1,000 EVERY MONTH in allowances. He has since become a pilot in the tax-haven of Jersey. He has recently continued to insist that he was "morally and legally" entitled to have taken and to have kept Croydon tax-payers' money. (Croydon Guardian, 26 Apr 06).