Councillor Stallan appears proud of the cabinet system in our district, where the Conservative group councillors vote through whatever the cabinet decides in secret meetings.

Housing and local development are a case in point. 

UKIP candidates campaigned against the large addition of new homes in the district which the Conservative council wants, and without any increase in services. 

Schools, doctors and dentist surgeries, public transport and roads are all over stretched but with an additional 10,200 homes it will be disastrous. 

The cabinet system, which Cllr Stallan praises, has been abolished in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire following UKIP alliances with other parties against the Conservatives, and so much better for democracy.

The EFDC cabinet adopted a policy to consult further on their development plan, which entails building in the Green Belt, but to date we are in the dark on when that might happen – it is now overdue. 

A cynic might think it had been delayed until after the local elections and might even be delayed until after the General Election, because its consequences for the Conservatives are seen to be damaging.

Cllr Butler can answer for his attendance but as a single representative from UKIP before May 22 his impact on a cabinet run council with a huge Conservative majority, would be limited.

As to the allegation of rudeness, which Cllr Stallan denies, it was reported to me the day of the count, so I believe  Cllr Butler’s memory can be trusted.

Andrew Smith
UKIP
Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Epping Forest