Bracknell politician slams 'absurd' Tory political drama

Paul Bidwell, a Labour representative for Priestwood on Bracknell Town Council, accused the Conservatives of meddling and politicising the town council.

It all follows the resignation of Councillor Malcolm Tullett from the Bracknell Forest Council Conservative group, after he felt he could not ‘properly represent’ residents in the group.

Cllr Tullett was intending to remain in the Conservative group on the town council, but was subsequently booted out of it.

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Cllr Bidwell accused some of the town council Conservatives of plotting to get rid of Cllr Tullett by removing him from his position as the chairman of the environmental services committee.

However, their efforts failed when Conservative councillors James Alexander (Great Hollands South) and Stuart Foston (Old Bracknell) broke ranks to keep Cllr Tullett in his position.

Now, Cllr Bidwell has accused the Conservatives of trying to punish Cllr Tullett for his resignation, calling their actions ‘absurd’ and that voters would react with ‘disgust’.

In a post on the We Love Bracknell Facebook page, Cllr Bidwell said: “Bracknell Town Council, an extraordinarily absurd series of events from the majority Tory Council over the past few weeks.

“1. The Emergency Council meeting to elect additional members to two of the Committees, Finance & Environment. Why, because Tory Cllr Malcolm Tullett resigned the whip from the Borough and the local Tory Grandees wanted to prevent him running a muck at Town.

“2. The Environment Committee where the Town Council Mayor proposed replacing Cllr Tullett as Chair. This was fortunately defeated as two Tory members refused to follow the Tory whip, how can a Mayor in good conscience agree to this, they are supposed to be a unifying guiding influence!

Labour Councillor Paul Bidwell, who stood as the candidate for Bracknell in the last two elections.

“This is as extraordinary as it is sad. As a Labour Town Councillor of over six years I have never witnessed Party Political manoeuvring of such proportion!

“I have worked with Cllr Tullett for many years and although clearly of different political views he has carried out his duties as constituents would expect with their interests paramount, specifically as Chair of Environment.

“The actions of the Borough Tory leaders go completely against the excellent record of democracy within the Town Council. It would now appear that the Borough are pulling the strings of the Town Council! What next?

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“Because of the Tory majority they can implement any policy they want, anyone who wants to stand gets elected. Last years Town Mayor, good councillor that he is, was given the role after being elected for the first time, sound familiar James Sunderland MP!

“I understand that disciplinaries are being carried out against those brave and principled members that voted against the Tory whip. There are nit surprisingly counter complaints being brought from Tory Councillors.

“This is no way for Tory Councillors to behave and as usual it is the constituents that suffer. My understandable glee at seeing the Tories in such disarray is tainted by huge disappointment of their behaviour and the obvious consequences of disgust from the electorate!”

Councillor Malcolm Tullett, representative for Old Bracknell. Credit: Bracknell Forest Council

Replying to Cllr Bidwell’s allegations, Cllr Chris Turrell (Conservative, Harmans Water), Bracknell Town Council leader, said: “Councillors on the Environmental Services committee put forward a motion concerning the chairmanship, as they are entitled to do under the Council’s standing orders.

“It is very unusual to have a motion of this kind, endorsed by half of the committee. 

“A vote was taken and the motion fell on the chairman’s casting vote. That brings the matter to an end for at least the next six months, as was stated in the meeting.”

Cllr Bidwell served as the Labour party candidate during the General Elections in 2017 and 2019, coming in second place to Conservatives Dr Philip Lee and James Sunderland respectively.