Tories "running scared of open debate"

Lib Dem Leader Cllr David Kendall has slammed the "open surgeries" being operated by Conservative controlled Brentwood Borough Council as a sham because they offer no voice to the opposition on the Council.

He believes that residents should be able to hear both sides of the argument when it comes to the Council having to make tough financial choices for the future. He also believes that residents attending these surgeries should have an opportunity to question the Leader of the Opposition.

Speaking about the issue Cllr Kendall said:

"These "open surgeries" being run by the Borough Council are little more than a glorified Tory road show at the residents expense because they are certainly not representative of the Council as a whole.

"There are ten opposition members on the Borough Council of which the Liberal Democrats form the largest group (8). If the Council are running these road shows then I believe the opposition should have a voice and be able to express their views.

"While the Conservatives may talk about providing more open and transparent local government, in reality they seem to be running scared of having a proper open debate on the serious issues facing the Borough".