Tories lose control of Plymouth City Council

Former leader quits Conservative group

Plymouth Conservatives no longer have overall control of the city council after former leader Cllr Nick Kelly resigned from the Tory group on Saturday night.

In a damning email to current council leader Cllr Richard Bingley, Cllr Kelly explained how he had also been deselected and therefore unable to stand for election as a Conservative in May 2023. 

Cllr Kelly, who represents the city's Compton ward, accused senior Tories of pursuing an “ongoing vendetta” against him. 

Referring to Southway councillor,Richard Bingley, he added: “Your vile, defamatory, and inaccurate outburst against me and fellow councillors that made the front page of The Herald was a disgrace.”

Further comments directed at Cllr Bingley include suggestions Cllr Kelly was verbally abused, sworn at, harassed and bullied by supporters of the current council leader. 

Cllr Kelly also criticised the council leader for supporting Tory Cllr Dan Collins (Plympton Chaddlewood) and his partner Cllr Shannon Burden (Ind, Moor View) who continue to collect allowances of almost £24,000 a year despite living in Gloucestershire. 

Cllr Kelly was ousted as leader of the council in March following a vote of no confidence, after which Cllr Bingley was selected to take his place. 

However, in a scenario not unlike the national picture, the Conservative group has appeared to be divided and rife with in-fighting. 

In his email to Cllr Bingley, Cllr Kelly ended by saying: “I shall continue to work tirelessly for the residents and businesses of Compton ward, as I have since 2019, and my city to make Plymouth a better place to live, work or visit as I have since first becoming a councillor in 2015. 

“I shall hold this administration to account publicly, and privately, in the quest to deliver what Plymouth wants and needs.

“I am proud to have been the leader of PCC and delivered the vast majority of our 2021 manifesto, with my team, as we promised.”

Saturday’s move leaves the council with 28 Conservatives, 24 Labour members, 3 Independents and 2 Green Party councillors.

Cllr Bingley has been approached for comment.

____________________________________

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL EMAIL SENT BY CLLR KELLY TO CLLR BINGLEY  

Dear Cllr Bingley

After much thought and deliberation, I wish to inform you that I have decided to resign from the Conservative Councillor Group with immediate effect. This decision has been made simpler as I have not been approved by the local Conservative Party to be a Conservative Councillor Candidate for the election in May 2023. This, despite working tirelessly, professionally and being one of the most pro-active Councillors since being elected in 2015. This clearly demonstrates the ongoing vendetta against me.

This decision has not been taken lightly, but I have to be true to myself and the values I hold dear in my vision for Plymouth.

Since being ousted as Leader in March 2022, by unprecedented means, I have watched with great sadness and frustration how the Conservative Group have grown more divided and under your leadership reneged on our Manifesto Commitments, that I led to deliver for the people of Plymouth.

Trust is a scarce and valued commodity in politics, you have broken this, time and time again. Your vile, defamatory, and inaccurate outburst against me and fellow Councillors that made the front page of The Herald was a disgrace, and in my opinion shows you are unfit to be a Councillor, let alone the Leader of Plymouth City Council. I, and others await the outcome of the Conduct Investigation against you.

You have personally ignored me, and failed to respond to the emails I have sent you about the issues that are key to Plymouth. This behaviour is not only rude, but highly unprofessional and incompatible with being a true leader.

You have overlooked many highly experienced Councillors who have consistently delivered for Plymouth, this is unforgivable.

You have been backed by individuals who have verbally abused me, sworn at me, pedalled lies about me, all of which amounts to harassment and bullying. To join forces with a few disgruntled ex-Conservative Councillors and Labour to oust me, show the depths that you and others will sink to, in order to feather your own nests. However, I respect democracy, and that you were voted in as Leader of PCC.

To take credit for the policies, work and initiatives I put into place with my Cabinet, truly reflects on you as a person,  and I can no longer sit by, as a silent bystander. Your conduct and values are not compatible with my own.

My home city is going backwards, and I can no longer be associated, or supportive of your approach, ways of working, and the reversal of policies that got you, and others elected in May 2021, when I led the Conservatives to an unprecedented victory winning 14 of the 19 wards across the city and truly defeated Labour.

You are more concerned with placating Labour, and bowing to their wishes, than consulting and listening to your own group, despite holding a majority.

You also continue to support two Councillors who have shown utter contempt to the residents of Plymouth, they continue to pick up allowances of almost £24k a year, however, they attend virtually no Council/ Committee meetings and live over a hundred miles away in Gloucester, yet you continue to praise them as hard working Councillors. You also welcomed back ex-Conservatives, who resigned and voted against the Conservative Group and policies consistently, and even voted down a sound prudent Conservative budget. Now look at the financial mess the Council’s finances are in, I need not say anymore.

I shall continue to work tirelessly for the residents and businesses of Compton Ward, as I have since 2019, and my city to make Plymouth a better place to live, work or visit as I have since first becoming a Councillor in 2015.

I shall hold this Administration to account publicly, and privately, in the quest to deliver what Plymouth wants and needs.

I am proud to have been the Leader of PCC and delivered the vast majority of our 2021 Manifesto, with my team, as we promised.

Others may decide they can no longer remain part of this Conservative Group, that will be their individual decision, and I leave behind a good number of hard working, experienced, competent and talented Councillors that I’m proud to call my friends. I wish them the very best for the future.

 
Kind regards
 
Nick