Lib Dems have always put Brentwood First!

Reacting to the formation of "Brentwood First" Cllr David Kendall said:

"The Liberal Democrat group have been expressing serious concerns about Cllr Louise McKinlay's leadership of Brentwood Borough Council over many months on issues such as the Town Hall, William Hunter Way and Crossrail. The fact that members of her group are finally waking up to the fact that Brentwood is being led down a cul-de-sac by Cllr McKinlay has to be welcomed, however we question the real reasons behind their decision to set up Brentwood First today.

"Cllrs Quirk, Lloyd, Baker and N Clarke only left the Conservative group because Cllr McKinlay is the group leader. If anyone else had been the leader it is very likely they would still be a part of the group. They are actually more Conservative in their ideology and thinking than many of those they have left behind and anyone thinking of joining or supporting Brentwood First needs to know it is basically a Tory party MK 2 under a new title. Even when they resigned from the Tory group they said they wanted to stay as members of the national Conservative party (although they have now been expelled), that they still fully
supported the local MP Eric Pickles and have even confirmed today at their launch that they are conservatives.

"The Liberal Democrats will continue to put all the residents in the Borough of Brentwood first as we have always done, working with other members and groups where appropriate, and the nine strong Liberal Democrat group remain the main opposition on Brentwood Borough Council."

The Conservatives now have a wafer thin majority of five and only need to lose three more seats to lose control of the council.