Seven councilors have made headlines by resigning from the Conservative Party due to disagreements over plans for a travellers’ site. The contentious issue has sparked controversy and raised concerns within Rothwell Town Council and North Northamptonshire Council (NNC).

The Resignation

• Fed Up with Being Ignored
  • In a joint resignation letter, the councilors expressed their frustration at feeling ignored by the party. They deemed it embarrassing to continue representing the Conservative Party amidst their grievances.
  • The leader of NNC expressed disappointment over their resignations, highlighting the significant impact on the party.

Reasons for Resignation

• Opposition to Travellers’ Site
  • The core issue revolves around NNC’s decision to allocate £1.3m in its budget for a temporary travellers’ site near junction three of the A14.
  • The councilors argue that the Conservative group’s insistence on this project threatens to disrupt the green space at junction three of the A14, which Rothwell Town Council has been diligently working to enhance for biodiversity and community benefit.

Rebellion Against Proposal

• Stand Against the Proposal
  • NNC councilors Cedwien Brown and Joseph Smyth have openly rebelled against the proposal during council meetings, further escalating tensions within the party.

 A Clash of Priorities

The resignation of seven Conservative councilors underscores the deep divide within the party over the issue of the travellers’ site. As tensions continue to simmer, it remains to be seen how NNC will address the concerns raised and whether a resolution can be reached to restore unity within the party