LIBERAL Democrat councillor for Upper Hale and former town mayor Victor Duckett will no longer be able to stand as a Lib Dem in the town council election, as a punishment for breaking party ranks.
The decision was reached at an Lib Dem executive meeting last Friday, called to decide the fate of both Mr Duckett and fellow dissenter Andrew Livesey. The pair broke party ranks last May by helping to vote in a Conservative as deputy mayor.
Although the majority of the executive voted to stop Mr Duckett standing for the party in the town council elections, Mr Livesey, councillor for Weybourne and Badshot Lea, was spared the same fate
"I am completely happy and delighted to be back in business," said Mr Livesey. "I feel as if weight has been lifted. I can't wait to help Simon Cordon with the general election campaign. What is important now is moving the party forward."
Mr Duckett was "disappointed, but not surprised" at the decision and is considering an appeal.
"At this moment, I'm considering my options," he said.
The furore at the usually uncontested and ceremonial mayor-making began following the appointment of Lib Dem councillor Dr Penny Marriott as Mayor.
Tory Group leader Captain Peter Burden proposed Carole Cockburn as her deputy, arguing that a long-standing informal agreement between the two parties dictated a proportional representational approach to the mayor and deputy positions.
This line was supported by Mr Duckett and Mr Livesey, who helped vote in Carol Cockburn over Lib Dem candidate Duncan Steel.
Vice chairman of South West Surrey Liberal Democrats Derek Seale, who chaired last Friday's meeting explained that action was taken against Mr Duckett because of his behaviour throughout the investigation.
"If you are a member of a political party, you should accept the disciplines of the party and if you can't, you should go independent - you can't have it both ways.
"It was hoped that the decision could be reviewed if people started working together and basically Andrew Livesey has, but Victor Duckett hasn't.
"Victor is a good friend and a valuable member of the party, and it is my hope that he will not leave the party and become independent, but instead concentrate on his work as a Waverley councillor and not the town council. I welcome Andrew's return to being an approved candidate."