There is mounting worry that democracy is faltering at Gloucester City Council amid the leadership of Jeremy Hilton. Opposition members have voiced concerns about increasingly autocratic governance after repeated interruptions and blocked questions by Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Hilton during recent council meetings.
At this week’s cabinet meeting, Conservative group leader Stephanie Chambers was frequently cut off and prevented from fully addressing her questions, leading her to warn that “democracy is dying” under the current administration. She criticized Hilton’s “my way or no way” approach, which she argues is undermining democratic debate and transparency.
“The interruptions and dismissiveness from the leader create a culture where open discussion is stifled,” Chambers said. “Our council should be a place for diverse voices, not one dominated by a single agenda.”
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Labour group leader Terry Pullen echoed these concerns, highlighting that Hilton’s promises of collective cooperation have not materialized. “Rather than fostering collaboration, the leader bulldozes through decisions and becomes defensive when challenged,” Pullen said. “Our council operates without overall control, yet the leader behaves as if unilateral power is his.”
The Community Independents group leader Alastair Chambers also questioned how democracy truly functions at the council. He described situations where officers make decisions behind closed doors, leaving councillors merely to rubber-stamp outcomes. He noted frequent alteration of motions and questions, refusal to accept budget amendments, and answers that fail to address raised issues.
“This not only weakens scrutiny but also jeopardizes democratic accountability,” Alastair Chambers explained. “If amendments and questions are simply rejected or altered, the purpose of democratic debate is lost.”
In response, a City Council spokesperson stated that all questions must meet constitutional and legal criteria, and exclusions happen only when questions are unlawful, inappropriate, or involve sensitive information. The council emphasized its commitment to openness but insisted on adhering to procedural rules designed to maintain order and legality.
As criticisms intensify, many are calling for a change in leadership style to restore trust, transparency, and genuine democratic engagement within Gloucester City Council.