Plymouth's lord mayor quits Tory group

Conservatives in disarray

Plymouth’s lord mayor, Cllr Terri Beer, has resigned from the Conservative group, accusing the new leadership of “bullying” and “lacking in experience and ability.”

The move means Labour have the most seats on the council but the Tories remain in control.  

The resignation of Cllr Beer (Plympton Erle) follows the election on Monday of a new leader of the city council, Cllr Richard Bingley (Cons, Southway) after Cllr Nick Kelly (Cons, Compton) was ousted from his role in a vote of no confidence.

In a statement on social media, Cllr Beer said: “I cannot continue to be associated with questionable people and bullying under the new leadership. 

“I really fear for Plymouth under a cabinet who are lacking in experience and ability.

“It would not feel right to stay in a group with people who have a record of doing some questionable things.

“The Conservatives locally have been run into the ground by unelected chairpersons not from South West Devon. 

“Brilliant and well-experienced people have been denied the opportunity to serve communities because their face didn’t fit or they failed to follow the chairperson’s misguided instructions.

“Cllr Kelly has, over the last two years, been mentally tortured by certain members; all of whom need to bow their heads in shame. 

“It hasn’t just stopped at Cllr Kelly, but others in the Conservative group have also suffered. If only the public had the full story.

“As from today I will be the first independent councillor to be lord mayor and will complete my term as just that.”

Cllr Beer added that the former leader, Cllr Kelly, and Labour leader Cllr Tudor Evans OBE (Ham) had always been supportive of her. 

Plymouth Conservatives have faced several controversies since coming to power, including the temporary suspension of Cllr Mark Deacon (Con, Southway) in March last year after claims he had mocked women’s safety concerns in the wake of the death of Sarah Everard. 

Cllr Kelly was also suspended after being accused of “victim-blaming” in comments he made following the death of Plymouth teenager Bobbi-Anne McLeod.

Cllr Dave Downie was suspended from the party earlier this year and has now pledged to stand as an independent in his Budshead ward.  

Cllr Beer, who has been a councillor for 15 years, said she would continue to represent Plympton Erle but would do so as an independent. 

One third of the city council in Plymouth faces re-election on Thursday 5 May. However Cllr Beer’s seat is not among those. 

Cllr Richard Bingley was contacted about the lord mayor's comments.  He has not yet responded.