Wyre Councillor to quit Tories to be Independent

A rural Wyre Conservative councillor dumped by his party as their candidate for May’s local elections is to quit the Tory Party.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Mar 2015, 08:00 BST
Councillor David Williams who has resigned the Tory Whip and will now serve the remainder of his term on Wyre Council as an independentCouncillor David Williams who has resigned the Tory Whip and will now serve the remainder of his term on Wyre Council as an independent
Councillor David Williams who has resigned the Tory Whip and will now serve the remainder of his term on Wyre Council as an independent

Coun David Williams has represented Calder Ward for 12 years, and had hoped to fight the seat again under Tory colours this spring.

But the Conservative candidate selectors have instead chosen John Ibison, son of Garstang Country Hotel and Golf Club boss Tom Ibison, for the Tory ticket for Calder.

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The Courier reported details of Coun Williams’ deselection last year. At the time the retired music teacher decided to keep the Tory whip on the council to retain his seat on Wyre’s planning committee, on which he has been a leading opponent of rural housing developments.

With the borough elections now only two months away he has now decided to cut his ties with the Conservatives and will sit as an independent councillor until May 7.

A report to tomorrow’s council meeting notes Coun Williams’ intended change of status from Conservative to independent following his discussions with Tory council leader Peter Gibson.

There has been speculation in civic circles that Coun Williams might stand as an independent candidate in Calder ward in May.

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When approached by The Courier, Coun Williams said he did not wish to comment until after tomorrow’s meeting. He stressed he would not be making anything negative comments about former political colleagues.

Coun Williams is a member of Garstang Town Council and is a former town mayor.

Development issues are likely to loom large in Calder ward in the May poll with controversy over proposed housing developments in Bowgreave and the possibility of homes being built off Calder House Lane/ Garstang Road.