Heather McLain, representing Severn Vale North on Tewkesbury Borough Council, has resigned from the Conservative Party and joined the Liberal Democrats, citing growing concerns over party decisions and policies. The decisive factor for her departure was the Conservatives’ selection of a former neo-Nazi as a candidate in Somerset, combined with dismissive remarks from party leadership about the role of councillors.
Cllr McLain expressed her regret at no longer being part of the Conservatives but said she had become increasingly disheartened by recent leadership choices. She strongly criticised the selection of Joshua Bonehill-Paine as the Tory candidate for the Crewkerne seat on Somerset Council.
Bonehill-Paine, who later withdrew his candidacy, has a history of convictions including assaulting a police officer and burglary of a police station. Notably, he served a three-year prison sentence for distributing antisemitic material prior to a planned neo-Nazi rally and was later convicted of racially harassing former Labour MP Luciana Berger. Following his withdrawal, he publicly expressed regret towards the Jewish community on social media.
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Reflecting on her resignation, Cllr McLain stated: “I have not left the Conservative Party. They have left me. I have been increasingly disappointed and disheartened by decisions made by the leadership of the party. The final straw was the Somerset candidate and comments from Kemi Badenoch that all councillors do is bins and parking. Borough councillors do far more than that.”
She emphasised the importance of elected officials supporting the police and upholding the rule of law, noting her doubts about candidates with violent criminal records serving constituents safely. While she believes in rehabilitation and accepts assurances that Mr Bonehill-Paine has reformed, she feels former violent neo-Nazis should not be approved as party candidates, highlighting perceived double standards within the Conservative Party regarding candidate selection.
Since joining the Liberal Democrats, Cllr McLain has praised the collaborative spirit of the Tewkesbury group.
Richard Stanley, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Tewkesbury Borough Council, welcomed her inclusion, stating, “Heather is a hard-working, passionate, principled and compassionate councillor with a long track record of putting residents first, listening to local people, and standing up for her community. These qualities are central to who we are as Liberal Democrats.”
He added, “We are delighted to have Heather join us. Being a councillor is about making a real difference, and we look forward to working alongside her to continue serving local people.”
Efforts to obtain a comment from Tewkesbury Conservatives have so far been unsuccessful.
The current composition of Tewkesbury Borough Council includes 16 Liberal Democrat councillors, eight Conservatives, four Greens, six Independents, two Isbourne and Winchcombe Independents, one Reform UK councillor, and a non-aligned member.