What does the decision of former mayor to quit Tories mean for city?

THE significance of Councillor Sean Marshall’s decision to leave the Conservative group on Derby City Council and become an independent depends what political party you belong to.

While the Tories have put on a brave face and praised Mr Marshall for his time in office over many years and as a former Mayor of Derby, the Labour group is predicting a rift in the Conservative’s relationship with the Liberal Democrats and UKIP.

The Lib Dems say it will not make much difference, while UKIP feels its position has been strengthened.

The move by Mr Marshall, who announced on Tuesday that he would vote as his conscience dictated and not on political party lines in the future, means the Tories now have 19 seats, while Labour still has a majority, with 23. The Lib Dems have five seats and UKIP three.

The Conservatives are still in overall charge, supported by the Lib Dems and UKIP, and Mr Marshall’s independent vote would only become crucial if any of the minority parties waiver in their support of the Tories.

The Labour group calls the link-up between the three minority parties a “coalition”, although it has never been drawn up on those lines officially and the term is condemned by UKIP, the Lib Dems and Tories.

Councillor Lisa Eldret, Labour group leader, said: “After less than six months in charge the coalition is failing. The Conservatives can’t even agree amongst themselves, so how can we trust them to lead the coalition and the city? Derby needs stability and competent leadership.

“This increases the instability of the Conservative, UKIP and Lib Dem coalition which was shaken last week during the Sinfin waste plant vote at full council.”

Mr Marshall abstained during a key vote in last week’s full council meeting to decide if two motions put forward by the Labour and UKIP groups, calling for the joint Sinfin Waste Plant contract with the city and county councils to be cancelled, should be heard in public.

The Tories wanted the motions to be heard behind closed doors because of “commercial sensitivities” but Mr Marshall’s abstention ensured it was heard in public. He claims it earned him a “reprimand” from the Conservative group and was “the straw that broke the camel’s back” after a couple of years of “irreconcilable differences” with the Tory leadership.

Councillor Ruth Skelton, Lib Dem group leader, said: “I wasn’t surprised when I heard Sean had left the Tories. When he didn’t vote with them on the issue of holding the incinerator debates in private the thought crossed my mind that he was off.

“I saw him do a similar thing when he left the Lib Dems. Him going independent doesn’t affect the numbers to the extent of changing the balance of power.”

Mr Marshall entered politics as a Lib Dem councillor in Blagreaves ward in 2004. He defected to the Conservatives in 2005, but remained as Blagreaves councillor until 2008.

From 2008 to 2012, he represented Chaddesden as a Conservative city councillor during which time he was also Mayor of Derby. He took time out of politics for four years, returning in 2016 as Conservative councillor for the Chellaston ward. He is not scheduled for reelection until 2020.

He is chairman of the council’s corporate services scrutiny review board and a member of the executive scrutiny review board.

Councillor Alan Graves, leader of the UKIP group, added: “It is clear that the Conservatives have as many problems in local government as national government and sometimes the cracks break the cement. Sean was a valuable member on the committee system meetings and I suspect he will now be changed.

“There is no change to our position, except to say UKIP are now in an even stronger place than before.”

■ An incorrect image was used in yesterday’s report on Mr Marshall’s resignation. The Derby Telegraph apologises for the error.

Sean Marshall