Tory majority cut as member quits
Political power in Telford was on a knife-edge today after one of the controlling Conservative group members resigned. Political power in Telford was on a knife-edge today after one of the controlling Conservative group members resigned. Councillor Stuart Cain has decided to stand down from his Muxton seat and the Tories, who had an overall majority of just one, are now effectively level pegging with the combined total of Labour, Liberal, Independent and Tawpa at 26 seats. The Conservatives will, however, cling on to control by virtue of their nominated "speaker" Councillor Miles Hosken, who chairs meetings of the full council and has a casting vote. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Political power in Telford was on a knife-edge today after one of the controlling Conservative group members resigned.
Councillor Stuart Cain has decided to stand down from his Muxton seat and the Tories, who had an overall majority of just one, are now effectively level pegging with the combined total of Labour, Liberal, Independent and Tawpa at 26 seats.
The Conservatives will, however, cling on to control by virtue of their nominated "speaker" Councillor Miles Hosken, who chairs meetings of the full council and has a casting vote.
Councillor Cain was unavailable for comment today.
A council spokesman confirmed he had resigned because of work commitments outside the area.
The Conservatives seized overall control of Telford & Wrekin Council for the first time in March following 34 years of successive Labour administrations.It followed two byelection successes for Tory candidates.
Clive Mollett captured Horsehay and Lightmoor ward with a majority of almost 200, following the resignation of Independent councillor Dr Adam Pringle.
Terry Kiernan retained Wrockwardine Ward for the Tories with a 600-plus majority.
Council leader Councillor Andrew Eade said at the time that it was an historic result and claimed it was a ringing endorsement by the electorate of his group's policies.
