RESIGNED: Norfolk county and north Norfolk district councillor Graham Jones. Picture: SUBMITTED.
Update: Lib-Dem party quitter and North Norfolk District Council/Norfolk County Council member issues challenge to ‘double standards’ critics
Alex Hurrell, Reporter
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
11:25 AM
A councillor who has resigned from the Liberal Democrats party has challenged critics to identify where and when he called on earlier party defectors to resign their seats and seek re-election.
A rising chorus of voices has this week been calling on Graham Jones to step down from North Norfolk District Council and Norfolk County Council and face the electorate at by-elections.
Critics, including North Norfolk Labour Party, claim that Mr Jones expected other county councillors who quit their parties - Paul Rice, Philip Hardy and David Callaby - to resign their seats and seek re-election through the ballot box.
An EDP online poll asking readers’ views showed on Wednesday morning that, of 214 recorded votes, 194 (91pc) thought Mr Jones should seek re-election and 20 (nine pc) did not.
Mr Jones, 69, from Antingham, near North Walsham, resigned from the party and the Lib-Dem groups on both councils on Monday saying that he had become totally disillusioned with party politics across the political spectrum, but intended to continue as a member of both authorities, serving as an “Independent Liberal Democrat.”
He has now thrown down the gauntlet to those who have accused him of double standards, challenging them to identify where and when he called on others who resigned to seek re-election.
“I say a million things and it may be that, in the heat of the moment, I did say something but I honestly can’t remember doing so,” said Mr Jones.
“Even if I did - and I don’t think I did - the difference is that I haven’t changed political allegiance. I am still a Liberal Democrat at heart and believe in Liberal-Democrat values.”
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7 comments
When Nick Clegg said "sorry" in a recent Lib Dem party polical broadcast, was he trying to persuade Graham Jones to stay on board the sinking ship?
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Hugh
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Sounds a bit like pleb gate! He is trying to disprove Labour and Lib Dem claims while not denying he might have said it!
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Jono
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
He might rejoin for his fourth article!
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Double Bill
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The third article on the same issue, one could think the EDP has it in for default Independent's. I have not taken part in this vote, the latest EDP wheeze designed to make out that public opinion can stir planners and be used to forward contentious planning applications. Still I find Mr. Jones's skewed views of Independents need explaining, party politician Nick Clegg is not Independent and never has been, making Cllr. Jones confused, at best.
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ingo wagenknecht
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Sounds like he resigned in the heat of the moment!
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Jonny Boggis
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Is Mr Jones calling his former group leader Paul Morse a liar then? Didn't Paul say on his blog that Graham had called for others to resign? I sense ll is not well in the Lib Dem camp.
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Callum Ringer
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Is this man still getting publicity? I'm surprised he hasn't called a by-election just for more newspaper space!
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omnishambles
Wednesday, October 17, 2012