Shock as Bognor mayor defects

Cllr Jennifer Gillibrand has defected to the Conservatives from the Liberal Democrats just six weeks after she was chosen as the town's first citizen.

It is the first time since Bognor began to have a town mayor in 1984 that the individual has switched allegiance.

Cllr Mrs Gillbirand's move '“ in which she was joined by her husband and fellow town councillor Rob Gillibrand '“ means Bognor has a Tory town mayor for the first time since the late Tom Boothman in November 1990. The defections also give the Conservatives their first chance of a say in running the town council for almost 18 years.

The loss of two Lib Dem members means the current council is totally hung. It has seven Lib Dems and seven Tories with two Independents completing the 16 seats.

Mr and Mrs Gillibrand told the Observer: "After long and thoughtful discussion, we have decided to leave the Liberal Democrat party. This decision has not been taken lightly.

"We feel that the Conservative party better represents our views and we look forward to working with them.

"Our residents in Hotham ward will continue to have our full commitment to serve their interests to the best of our abilities."

Their change of politicial allegiance was officially announced at the town council meeting. There was no personal reaction from the remaining Lib Dem councillors.

Their move to the Conservatives puts the party at least partly back in power on the town council after an absence which stems back to a mass walkout in August, 1990.

A protest by scores of angry residents about a private meeting between the then Tory-led town council and the developers behind a possible marina led to abuse being aimed at the councillors. Six of them walked out '“ never to return.

The Tories failed to contest the resulting byelections to enable the Lib Dems to take control and occupy the position of town mayor.

The Lib Dems have since been in charge, either solely or jointly with Labour, ever since.

One result of the dramatic loss of power means the town council no longer has a leader.

That position automatically goes to the leader of the majority party.

The absence of such a dominant group means the role, important behind the scenes, has become vacant.

How the town council adapts to the changes will be discussed at the next policy and resources committee meeting on July 7.

An extraordinary meeting of the full council could be called soon after to discuss the committee's recommendations.

Town clerk Kate Gill assured councillors that the everyday running of the council's committees would continue as usual.

But she said that the council's standing orders, its rule book, stated the need for a leader.

She outlined her desire for an informal chat with the council's two party leaders, Cllr Adam Cunard (Conservative) and Cllr Greg Burt (Lib Dems), and the Independents, Cllrs Ken Scutt and Jim Brooks, before the meetings to try to resolve the stalemate.

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