East Devon's Royal Family?
Campaigners have reacted with disbelief to the latest arrogant decision of the district council. It has been decided to give preferential treatment to senior members of the old council at the vote count to determine who has been elected this time round. Portfolio holders will have their wards counted before other candidates.
Dr. Jon Underwood, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Tiverton and Honiton and also a candidate in the election has objected to the move.
"Presumably this is so they can get on with the urgent business of ruining East Devon.
"This decision reveals a lot about the attitudes of East Devon's rulers. They've been in power so long they've come to think they are a sort of royalty. Someone needs to remind them that we already have a Queen, and the Divine Right to rule was abandoned after the Civil War. What's happened to democracy?
The Returning Officer should regard it as his absolute duty ensure that all candidates are treated equally and seen to be treated equally. Should this decision not be swiftly overturned we will raise it with the Electoral Commission."
The "chosen ones" - portfolio holders standing for election again [all Conservatives]:
Sara Randall Johnson (Ottery Rural)
Graham Brown (Feniton and Buckerell)
David Cox (Ottery Town)
Jill Elson (Exmouth Halsdon)
Graham Godbeer (Coly Valley)
Andrew Moulding (Axminster Town)