Ex leader hits back
Louise Goldsmith quit the Conservative party last week and has responded after a
Louise Goldsmith hits back at claims by the Chichester Conservative Association which questioned her competency and said she and another county councillor were deselected.
The former leader of West Sussex County Council Louise Goldsmith this week hit back at claims by the Chichester Conservative Association which questioned her competency and said she and another county councillor were deselected.
Mrs Goldsmith who – along with Jamie Fitzjohn – quit the Conservatives last week, said the party had become ‘sharkish and malign’.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the association made it clear that neither were selected as candidates for next May’s county council elections.
The statement, which said her ‘competency was brought into question’, quoted an unnamed party member, who added: “Although Cllr Goldsmith, clearly served with best intentions, I know many of us felt no one could overlook her failings.
“As the then leader, she must take ownership and responsibility for her service record, which certainly was not up to the standards Conservatives expect.
“It is right the party stepped in to hold her to account.”
But Mrs Goldsmith responded: “Party politics can be dirty, based so often on egos, petty feuds and revenge, as summed up by this text message I received last week from a councillor:
“They were appalling – you have no idea how many are aghast at what has happened.
“They merely twisted the knife like you hadn’t been through enough already. You have been so loyal, worked your socks off, and as a result of certain personalities we lose a valuable member.”
Three major incidents in 2019 are thought to have
brought about the end of Mrs Goldsmith’s time as leader.
Children’s services in West Sussex were recommended
to transfer to an independent trust after a Department for Education report found there had been ‘inadequate and ineffective leadership’ from the county council.
The Fire and Rescue
Service was rated ‘requires improvement’ by inspectors, with accusations raised about bullying as well as ‘significant concerns’ about public