Another chapter in the tale of Gosport's Liberal Democrat group's determination to implode has occurred. Predicted and not unexpected as demonstrated in the past, with Liberal Democrats resigning or crossing the floor to the Conservatives as they realise they are but mere pawns in the game being played by their leadership.

This is significant in that Cllr Smith who has now resigned from the Gosport Libearl Democrats was Leader of The Council, elected by the Lib Lab coalition, a situation already made strange by the fact that he was replaced as leader of his party by Cllr Chegwyn.

The leader of the council is usually the leader of his own party and therein rests his authority.

Cllr Smith has supplied a number of reasons for his decision to jump ship and really that does leave us with a choice of which one we are to believe.

Is it:

1. I was finding it difficult to cope with the stress of my job and of being leader of the council?
2. Those nasty Tories are constantly criticizing me and opposing my policies?
3. That @%*1@~ Is continually undermining my authority?

The choice is yours. I am certain that the continuing problems within the Lib Dem group may see others make the decision to get away from the constant machinations of the self seeking leadership of the party who has demonstrated a clear intention to use his position on the council to further his own interests.

We now are made aware that before the two Brockhurst councillors Mr & Mrs Salter departed for Australia, they told friends that they left a letter containing their resignation. The letter was not handed in to the Chief Executive of Gosport Borough Council as they intended and perhaps without their knowledge or consent their seats on the council were used by the Lib Dems in an attempt to retain their precarious grip on power.

Councillor Smith has obviously not been able to contend with the astonishing lengths that have been utilised to deceive and confuse the people of Gosport by his own party and has resigned because of it. It would seem that his sidelining by his own deputy leader of the council has been too much for him to bear.

With the Lib Dem party once again heading into meltdown, it is small wonder that so many of Gosport's residents are recognising now that they will have to take the matter into their own hands and elect councillors to represent their interests, who really do have the interests of the whole Borough at heart.

Gosport needs Councillors who are well equipped and capable of doing the job within the rules with integrity, courage and honesty that is required to bring out the best of Gosport's assets and utilise those to promote and grow the potential that really is available when coupled with imagination and determination.

Conservatives have the expertise; the will and the courage to make the difficult decisions that are needed to move Gosport forwardtowards a brighter future for all residents.

 Article posted 15th May 2009