8 Tories Go Independent

The Conservatives have lost their overall majority on Sevenoaks District Council after a revolt by their own councillors.

Although Cllr Roddy Hogarth remains leader of Sevenoaks District Council (SDC), his party no longer has a majority after seven Conservative councillors left the party last night.

This morning an eighth Conservative joined the new breakaway group, which is to be known as the West Kent Independents.

Led by Cllr Julia Thornton, the new grouping consists of Cllrs Margot McArthur, Diana Esler, Alan Layland, Angela Baker, Chris Haslam, Simon Reay and John Grint.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the 14 strong Liberal Democrat group will canvass other non-Tory members today to see if a new administration can be formed.

The drama at the annual SDC meeting unfolded when former Kent County Council (KCC) member Margot McArthur was nominated to challenge fellow Tory James Barnett for the role of vice chair.

After Cllr McArthur secured the position by 22 votes to 17, she and six other Tories resigned the whip and formed a new independent group. Cllr Grint joined the group this morning.

Cllr Thornton said the newly-created West Kent Independents were “feeling buoyant” and “free from the shackles” of the party system.

She added: “We’re no longer tied to a political party and can speak and act freely on behalf of our residents and not be instructed to vote one way or the other which we may not feel is correct.”

Cllr Thornton said that with local government reorganisation “on the horizon” it is important to deliver for Sevenoaks residents.

It is more bad news for the Conservatives in Kent after being trounced at the KCC elections on May 1. The Tories, who secured more than 60 of the 81 seats in 2021, were reduced to just five after a Reform UK landslide. 

The Tory revolt in Sevenoaks leaves the Conservatives with 25 members, the Liberal Democrats 14, West Kent Independents eight, Green Party four, and three other independents. The Tories are now outnumbered by three.

Lib Dem SDC member and deputy opposition group leader at KCC Richard Streatfeild said: “This is terrible news for the Conservatives. The pressure within the Tories has been mounting for some time and pressure either bonds or shatters – and they are shattered.”

Cllr McArthur, who is believed to be abroad on holiday, was unavailable for comment. It is understood she is aware of last night’s events.
The Lib Dem group is due to meet tomorrow afternoon (May 17) to discuss the way forward.

Cllr Streatfeild added: “The numbers speak for themselves. The numbers say there is no overall control at SDC and it is up to the various groups to determine what is best for the residents of the district.”

Cllr Alan Leaman, leader of the SDC Lib Dem groups said: “Sevenoaks residents deserve better than the service they are receiving from the Conservative administration.

“Liberal Democrats will play our full role in serving local residents and creating a new majority within the council in their interests.”

An SDC statement said: “At last night’s annual council meeting, seven members announced their intention to resign from the Conservative group.

“While the council has no overall political control, day-to-day Council services are unaffected.

“There will be an extraordinary meeting of the council as soon as possible to agree appointments to our committees so they reflect the new political make-up of the council.”