The formation of a new Liberal Democrat & Independent Group on East Cambridgeshire District Council has set the political balance on the 28-strong council on a knife edge.

The new Group has fourteen members—thirteen Liberal Democrats plus one independent (James Lay, Woodditton). So does the ruling Conservative Group, which is now expected to cling onto control of the council and its committees by the casting vote of the chair at every meeting. 

The new Group’s leader, Cllr Lorna Dupré, says:

“This new Group will work together in the best interests of the residents of East Cambridgeshire. Its formation will now force the council to review the size of council committees and the number of members on them. For too long the Conservative group on the council has forced through its agenda by clinging on to a majority which is not justified by either the number of seats or the number of votes it has.”

Cllr James Lay (Independent) adds:

“I was elected in 2023 as a Conservative councillor to represent Woodditton on East Cambridgeshire District Council. I believe the residents of Woodditton deserve an explanation of my reasons for leaving the Conservatives, and joining a new Liberal Democrats & Independent Group on the council as an Independent councillor.

Under the Conservatives, too many decisions have been made behind closed doors without debate in council. The full council meets only five times a year, to restrict and control debate. By contrast, neighbouring South Cambridgeshire, West Suffolk, Fenland, Babergh, and Huntingdonshire meet eight times a year.

Conservatives on East Cambridgeshire are told what to think, and theirs is not a happy ship. Major decisions in the next six months may bring matters to a head and we may see further changes in the Conservative Group then.

Leaving the Conservative Group has not been an easy decision for me. But I hope our new Group will bring more democracy and debate to East Cambridgeshire District Council, for the benefit of all who live in our District.”

Cllr Christine Whelan has been elected as the Group’s Deputy Leader.

The new Group has submitted a requisition to the Chair of the Council calling for an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Council to agree sizes and membership of committees. By law these must be proportional to the balance of the membership of the council as a whole.