Former leaders slam Southport Tory MP's refusal to say how he voted in Johnson confidence vote
Former leaders slam Tory MP's refusal to say how he voted in Johnson confidence vote
Southport journalist Martin Hovden writes: As anger grows in the town, two former leading members of Southport Conservatives have today blasted Tory MP Damien Moore's outright refusal to say how he voted in Monday's vote of confidence in Boris Johnson.
His decision has caused fury among residents with more than 60 local residents contacting a local social media site to express their disgust.
Ainsdale independent Councillor Terry Jones is the former leader of Sefton Tory Group on the local authority. He said residents deserve decency and honesty from those they elect.
Councillor Jones, who quit the Tory Party last month to form the Southport Councillors Group, explained: “During all my years as a Conservative, I never once shirked away from holding the party to account. I'm all for people having their beliefs, but have the decency to own your views.”
Meanwhile Anthony White, former chairman of Southport Young Conservatives, said: “It's pretty obvious that Damien Moore and Mike Prendergast - leader of the Sefton Tory Group who also refuses to say whether he supports the Prime Minister - will both think Boris is not up to scratch. They should just admit it and people would respect them more for it.”
Mr. White, who masterminded a surge in interest in politics among young people in the town during his leadership, added: “I an a Tory voter and I really like Boris as a person. But let's get real, he should of resigned weeks ago.”
Another example of local Tories refusing to say how they feel about Boris Johnson came when I approached Birkdale Tory activist Lee Durkin. He has a high profile on social media so I contacted him via Facebook.
Does he have confidence in Boris Johnson?
“I will respond to you in due course and no later than midnight 17th June.”
Why the delay?
“With the greatest respect to you I would like to decline your invite”
Why are you refusing to answer the question?
“My response is I decline to comment.”
Earlier today, I contacted MP Damien Moore plus Tory Councillors Mike Prendergast (Dukes ward), Tony Brough (Ainsdale), Sir Ron Watson (Dukes) and Mike Morris (Cambridge) and asked them three questions:
(1) Do you have confidence in Boris Johnson?
(2) If you decide not to answer, could you tell me WHY you won't answer?
(3) Do you think it's healthy for democracy for politicians - of any party - to pick and choose which questions to answer?
Councillor Morris, who was awarded the MBE in last week's Queens Birthday Honours, responded within the hour with this short comment:
“I will be keeping my own counsel until the report of breaches to the rules by Sir Kier Starmer and his deputy Angela Raynor during and after canvasing beer and curry in Durham, and I suggest you do the same.”
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