You are in: Home > News > Trump Councillor - Martin Ford quits the Liberal Democrats

Trump Councillor - Martin Ford quits the Liberal Democrats

Aberdeenshire councillor Martin Ford has resigned his membership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. He gave his letter of resignation to party leader Tavish Scott MSP on Friday night (23 January).

Explaining his decision, Cllr Ford said, “It has been a very difficult decision to leave.  Most of my closest friends are party members.  My wife and I met through our involvement in the party.  The Liberal Democrats have been a big part of my life.

 “However, I have lost confidence in the party and therefore no longer wish to be a member of it.

“I have been a party member for over 20 years and taken on numerous different roles.  I remain totally committed to the liberal and democratic ideals the party was formed to promote.  I know that the vast majority of members of the Liberal Democrats sincerely support those ideals and act accordingly.  I am sure there will be many issues in the future where I will be campaigning alongside Liberal Democrats because of shared beliefs.

 “That said, the fact is I have resigned.  The last year in the Liberal Democrat group on Aberdeenshire Council has been very difficult for me.  In effect, this is a case of constructive dismissal.

 “I am very sorry to be leaving the party.  I finally decided to do so after last Thursday's council meeting.

“The party has not lived up to its environmental policies and its commitment to sustainable development.  This was nowhere more evident than with the Trump planning application.  I am well aware the other three main parties failed equally – but I was not a member of any of them. 

“We are facing some huge environmental challenges, most obviously tackling climate change, and this will require politicians to take tough decisions and show real leadership and vision.  Too often these wider issues are being set aside in response to short term or local pressures.

“The recent behaviour of the leadership of the Aberdeenshire Council Liberal Democrat group does not accord with the party's core beliefs.  I know it is not representative of the approach of Liberal Democrat councillors generally or of most on Aberdeenshire Council.

“There have been repeated breaches of the liberal and democratic principles on which the party is based.

 “Of course, on a day-to-day basis, the wider party is not responsible for the poor behaviour of some leading Aberdeenshire Liberal Democrat councillors, but after more than a year the party is culpable for not having stopped it.  The treatment of Cllr Johnston, Cllr Storr and myself by some of our colleagues has been unfair and this has badly damaged the party's reputation in the north east.

“It has also made it impossible for me to continue as a party member.”

 Last Friday two other members of the Aberdeenshire Council Liberal Democrat group, Cllrs Sam Coull and Paul Johnston, resigned from the group (but not from the party) in protest at the behaviour of the group leadership.  Councillors Coull, Ford, Johnston and Storr are to form a new group on the council.  Cllrs Coull, Johnston and Storr remain party members of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Ford added, “I remain totally committed to my role as a local councillor.  As before, I will work with anyone, in any party, to take forward the liberal, democratic and environmental policies I campaigned for at the last council elections and have supported throughout my political life.”

 

Back to news index

 

 

 

We're on hand and here to help in a time of crisis.

Call us now on 0141 208 2299 or 07717 326 919

You can also email us at panic@fan-hitter.co.uk

 

 

 

[Close this window]        

Brand by Branding Boutique. Web by Media Solutions.