A last-minute bid by failed former Council Leader, David Pugh, to be elected Chairman of the Island Conservative Association could divide and destroy the Island’s Conservatives, an outspoken Councillor has tonight (Sunday) warned.
The Annual General Meeting of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association is to be held on Thursday (29th March) and David Pugh is 1 of 2 candidates vying for the Chairmanship. The other candidate is David Walters.
Speaking about the situation, Councillor Chris Whitehouse (Conservative, Newport West Ward) says:
“David Pugh left the Conservatives with a toxic image. He not only lost his own seat, but also cost us control of the Council in 2013…
“The electorate would never forgive or forget if Island Conservatives were to allow this divisive and scheming individual to return to and take control of County Hall through the back door by being elected Association Chairman, in which position the rules would allow him to attend all the meetings of Conservative members of the Isle of Wight Council and put him in charge of the selection process for all councillor candidates in the future.”
Councillor Whitehouse adds:
“Along with many councillor colleagues, I would find it impossible to continue to serve as a Conservative if the man who wrecked the Island’s education system so comprehensively were elected Association Chairman. It would be an insult to a generation of children and their parents.
“We’re still undoing the damage he did – damage so bad that the entire Island school system was put into special measures by the national Government. This wouldn’t be a joke, it would be a nightmare and would divide and risk completely destroying the Conservative Association.
Article continues below this advertisement “I’m not surprised Pugh has kept his plan secret until the very last minute. It’s bloody typical.”
The Island’s MP, Bob Seely, is said to be rising above the controversy, according to Whitehouse:
“When we were choosing a new Parliamentary Candidate at very short notice last year, I personally sought an assurance from Bob Seely that, were I to support his candidature, he would not do anything to bring back the division and disharmony associated with David Pugh. He gave me that assurance, so I backed his Parliamentary bid.
“I’ve now discussed with him personally the power-bid by Pugh and the MP has assured me that he is absolutely not favouriting one candidate over another. That’s the way it should be. Well said Bob!”.
Asked what the solution would be to this existential threat to the future of Conservatives on the Island, Councillor Whitehouse explained:
“The solution is simple. Every Conservative Party Member on the Island should turn up on Thursday and vote for any candidate other than David Pugh!”
