‘I’ve had my car tyres slashed and received death threats...’
After being ousted, Sybil Ralphs says she is now looking forward to a quite life
SYBIL Ralphs has revealed that she had received death threats, had paint stripper thrown over her car and her tyres slashed as she stood down as leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council after nearly 16 years.
Councillor Ralphs, pictured right, was removed from office at last week’s annual general meeting of the district council, after two motions by Councillor James Aberley were both approved.
Putting forward his first motion, Councillor Aberley, also the chairman of the local Conservative Association, said: “That the Full Council of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council removes the current leader of the council from post.”
This was approved by 33 for and 18 against wiht one abstention.
A second motion was then put forward by Councillor Aberley which said: “That the Full Council of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council elects Paul Roberts, the Conservative Group Leader, as leader of the council.”
However, an amended motion was put forward by Councillor Ian Lawson which proposed that Councillor Sybil Ralphs should be elected as leader.
A vote then resulted in Councillor Roberts receiving 34 votes and Councillor Ralphs 18. Councillor Roberts was then elected the new leader of the council.
Both votes split the Conservative group members but Labour councillors supported the first motion and then Councillor Roberts on the second.
Following her defeat,
Councillor Ralphs said she would now enjoy a quiet life, without threats.
She said: “I have had paint stripper thrown over my car, and had my car tyres slashed. I have also received death threats and comments on social media. I will not miss what I have gone through.
“I now hope to lead a quiet life by looking after my sister.
“Democracy has taken place, but I would like to know why I have been removed.
“I have been a councillor for 30 years and am proud of my record where I have never missed a cabinet or council meeting.
“I shall miss the people. When you come into the chamber you are elected to represent the people of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
“You are here to improve the quality of life of people in the Moorlands.
“I would like to thank the council officers.”
Prior to the motions being put forward, Councillor Mike Bowen, said: “This sorry, deplorable, unprecedented state of affairs is the result of a prolonged and sustained campaign led by a small group of deluded dissenters, whose grossly inflated egos greatly surpass their limited capacities.
“This group forms the putrid core, which is steadily, but consistently, poisoning the Conservative Association.
“This has sadly led me to the conclusion that I must categorically refuse to have my name and reputation linked to Staffordshire Moorlands Conservative Association and I have therefore resigned from it.
“Any organisation that feels it must sink to the level of using falsehoods, deceit, manipulation, coercion and bullying to gain its devious ends has no legitimate place in a country, famed for its democracy, freedom of speech and the right to an
independent and unfettered vote. This has been most recently demonstrated by the opaque and extremely suspect election for Group leader, followed even more perversely by the bullyboy tactics of threats of permanent expulsion from the group and the inability to stand again as Conservative councillors, unless voting as directed.
“This is a falsehood. The most severe sanction applicable is a temporary 21 day suspension, with no subsequent penalties, as confirmed by Conservative Central Office.
“In light of this, I urge my former Conservative colleagues to stand straight and tall, act with integrity and vote without fear in the way that you know is right and proper for you.”
Councillor Andrew Hart said: “I have watched this go on for some time. I have never seen anything like it.
“No reasons have been given and also no courtesy given.”
Councillor David Shaw said: “The whole business is sad. Many compliments have been paid over the years. We would not have achieved things without Councillor Ralphs. It is a sorry day.”
Councillor John Jones said: “Why have we got to replace her? Why has she not been told why? It should be about respect, in my opinion it is despicable.
“The vote for the group leader was suspect, why secret? Candidates were not allowed to see the papers.”
New leader Paul Roberts said he now needed to speak to his group on the appointments of his cabinet and chairs and vice chairs of committees.
He said: “I did not expect to be in this position. I need now to speak to the group. I have big boots to fill and I hope people respect me.
“It is time to move on for the people of the Staffordshire Moorlands. Let’s listen to them by being open and transparent.
“Let’s be good councillors.”