WITH just seven weeks to go until the local government elections, Liberal Democrats on Waverley Borough Council have been shocked by a third defection from their ranks – this time by one of their longest-standing councillors. Retired architect Michael Blower has announced he can no longer support the local Liberal Democrats. Mr Blower, a Lib Dem borough councillor for 16 years, will contest the seat for the newly formed Waverley Independents Network (known as WIN) at the elections on May 3. In the meantime, he will be joining the three Independent councillors who hold the balance of power between Conservatives and Lib Dems on the "hung" council. Mr Blower's change of allegiance, which is linked to the controversy over the East Street redevelopment in Farnham, will leave the Lib Dems with 27 councillors - just one more than the Conservatives. It strengthens the hand of the Independents, whose critical votes have already dealt the Lib Dem administration at least one embarrassing defeat. And it could not have come at a better time for WIN. The network has been formed, according to the Independent councillors, because of continued representations from the public for less politics in local government. It is currently touting for new members, offering help to anyone who wants to be an Independent candidate at the forthcoming borough and town council elections. "It was not an easy decision for me to make," said Mr Blower, who represents the Farnham Weybourne and Badshot Lea ward. "I have had a long association with the party, but over recent years I have become more and more disillusioned with party politics in local government." The former county councillor first stood for the Liberals in Godalming in 1965, around the time that he first began working on Farnham's buildings. It was his production in 2002 of a set of drawings showing his vision for the redevelopment of East Street in Farnham – a vision very unlike the current Crest Nicholson planning application for the site – which has led to his split with the local party. As an Independent, Mr Blower will still be excluded from the relevant debates, but believes fellow network members will be open-minded to his views outside the chamber. "They will be governed by good sense, there will be no whip telling us what to do. That is the understanding under which I am joining," he told The Herald. He described the current block two-party situation as "counter-productive to good decision making". The East Street situation had brought to a head the shortcomings in fulfilling promises made by both parties, he said. Lib Dem group and council leader Gillian Ferguson described Mr Blower's decision as "really disappointing and disheartening". She went on to question the Independents' claim to be non-political and said they seemed to be standing on a single issue – East Street. She also acknowledged the difficult situation the Lib Dem administration was in, with its slim hold on the council yet further reduced. "It was always going to get more and more political as we go towards May 3, but I would hate to see it interfere with the solid work the council is doing," she observed. Victor Duckett, who was the first Lib Dem defector two years ago and now leads Waverley's Independents, commented: "I am really pleased that Michael is joining us on the council, it will give him the freedom to follow his conscience rather than be pressured by the party whip." Anyone wanting more information about the Waverley Independents Network can contact Independent Farnham town councillor Janet Maines on 01252 711271 or email [email protected]">[email protected]
