Epping Forest Conservatives warned not 'to throw stones in glass houses'.

12.00.00am GMT Thu 8th Feb 2007

With regard to the recent article in the Epping Forest Guardian regarding the cost of the Grange Hill By-election, at a time when more and more people are disengaging with the electoral process the Conservatives are appearing to decide when residents in Epping Forest should be given their right to vote.

In November 2002 the Conservatives called two by-elections in Waltham Abbey after two of their members resigned. This was despite the fact that one of the seats was up for re-election 6 months later in May 2003. If it was right for the Conservatives to hold a by-election in November 2002, so that the residents of Waltham Abbey were fully represented, it was the right decision for the Liberal Democrats to call a by-election in Grange Hill.

What I find more astounding is the fact that the Conservative led administration has no contingency in their budget to hold an election for an unforeseen vacancy. Council seats, represented by all political persuasions, from time to time become vacant. This could be as a result of a resignation due to a councillor moving away from the area, resigning because of ill health and sometimes in the sad circumstances that a councillor passes away.

Surely an administration that prides it self in financial competence should ensure that their budget allows for the costs of a possible by-election? Otherwise the Conservatives are denying the residents of Epping Forest one of their basic rights.

Neil Woollcott

Chair

Epping Forest Liberal Democrats