I am no longer a Tory .. my colleagues were right-wing extremists
Councillor quits over plans for swingeing cuts to local services
A SENIOR Tory councillor has quit the party after branding colleagues “right-wing extremists” over their brutal plans to slash public services.
Moray councillor Walter Wilson resigned in disgust on Monday night over dramatic proposals to sack lollipop men and women and close community centres and libraries.
The departure threw the Tory-led administration into chaos as the full extent of the budget cuts are expected to be made public next month.
It’s understood the local authority group are planning to axe every community centre and public toilet in Moray, along with every library other than Elgin.
Wilson – who chairs the council’s planning committee and represents Speyside Glenlivet – accused his former colleagues of sacrificing public safety in the blind pursuit of austerity.
He said: “I am no longer a Conservative, which was a tough decision to make.
“But I couldn’t just sit there and listen to extreme right-wing views, and it all came to a head when my colleagues were discussing what they wanted to cut. It felt like Speyside Glenlivet was going to be badly affected, and it led to irreconcilable differences. I just said that was it, I couldn’t vote for a budget like that.
“There are a core of right-wing extremists who have made life difficult for some Conservatives in the group and Independent members of the administration.”
But another Tory on the council, Marc Macrae, criticised Wilson. He said: “It will be a tough budget for Moray but no ward will be disproportionately affected and we will consult on proposed cuts.
“I’m disappointed in Mr Wilson, I would question whether politics is for him.”
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead seized on the row and called on Tory leader Ruth Davidson to launch an inquiry into the group.
He said: “Ruth Davidson must order an investigation into her Moray organisation.
“Many local people will be troubled that elected representatives who run Moray Council are deemed to be extremists by a colleague who sat in meeting after meeting with them and has decided he can’t stomach their vile views any longer.”
I couldn’t just sit there and listen to extreme right-wing views WALTER WILSON