Conservative councillors say they will press ahead with a no confidence motion in BCP Council leader Millie Earl after the Penn Hill ward vote, despite her call for withdrawal. Opposition councillors say a no confidence motion in BCP Council leader Millie Earl will go ahead. The Conservative group confirmed it will not withdraw the motion after the Liberal Democrats won the Penn Hill ward vote, in a ward already held by the party. Councillor Earl had called on Conservatives to “listen to the message from residents” and drop the challenge to her leadership. She accused the group of “playing
Opposition councillors say a no confidence motion in BCP Council leader Millie Earl will go ahead.
The Conservative group confirmed it will not withdraw the motion after the Liberal Democrats won the Penn Hill ward vote, in a ward already held by the party.
Councillor Earl had called on Conservatives to “listen to the message from residents” and drop the challenge to her leadership. She accused the group of “playing political games”.
Councillor John Beesley said the result did not answer wider questions about the direction of BCP Council. He said Councillor Earl had “very important issues of leadership to answer”.
He criticised the council’s finances and said delivering a balanced budget was ultimately the leader’s responsibility. He also said she should have involved government and local MPs more directly in discussions about the council’s financial position.
Councillor Beesley said the opposition’s role was to represent residents across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. He said the motion was “not a political game” and described it as part of holding the administration to account.
