Two West Lancashire parish councillors who have joined another party should both resign and face the voters in a by-election, say local Conservatives.
David Gallagher was elected onto Aughton Parish Council as a Conservative candidate. Up until only a few weeks ago, he was trying to become a Conservative borough councillor.
It has since been reported in the local media that he has joined the United Kingdom Independence Party, along with Halsall Parish Cllr Raymond Brookfield, who has stood for Labour in the borough council elections.
Bill Weingart, Chairman of West Lancashire Conservative Association, is now calling for both parish councillors to resign, and call a by-election in their respective parish areas. Bill said: “Neither Mr Gallagher nor Mr Brookfield were elected onto their respective parish councils as UKIP candidates, yet they are now members of that party. They should now do what others have done at Parliamentary level and re-submit themselves to the voters, who will now be aware of their changes of allegiance.“
"So far they have both remained silent over whether they will do the right thing and call a by-election. That is not good enough. The people of Aughton and Halsall deserve to know whether they will duck a by-election, just as their party have done by failing to field a candidate in the Skelmersdale North Borough Council by-election this week, or whether they will do the right thing and re-submit themselves to the electorate.”
David Gallagher resigned from the Conservatives less than month after he failed to be selected to fight the Aughton Park seat in next May's Borough Election.
The successful candidate, chosen by party members, was Marilyn Westley. A former General Manager in the NHS and a Chief Executive of a Charitable Organisation, Marilyn is active with a number of local organisations and, as a former parish councillor, has a record of public service.
Bill said: “Marilyn is an excellent candidate. She has a wealth of experience and strong personal qualities that will make her an extremely effective borough councillor. That is exactly what the people of Aughton Park deserve.”
Raymond Brookfield failed to become a Labour borough councillor for Halsall Ward in 2012. The incumbent is Conservative Borough Councillor, Doreen Stephenson.
Bill said: "Doreen is a very hard-working, local borough councillor who this year is fulfilling her ward duties as well as doing a first-class job as the Mayor of West Lancashire."
"She is rooted in the Halsall community and fighting to get the best for locals."
Bill Weingart, Chairman of West Lancashire Conservative Association - pictured.