BNP supporter criticises council decision

A British National Party supporter has criticised Upper Beeding Parish Council for rejecting her as a member.

Donna Bailey, 41, stood to be co-opted on to the parish council on Tuesday September 4 but was turned down after a vote was taken. She claimed councillors were blinded by her membership of the BNP rather than basing their view on what she could do for the community.

Mrs Bailey stood as a BNP candidate for Roffey North in the May elections but came away empty handed.

Mrs Bailey said: "I stood up and gave a speech on what I could offer to the community. Then I sat down and the chairman asked if anybody had any questions and immediately I was asked about my political membership. I explained I have no politics to bring to the parish council – I am interested in the community."

She added: "It was so undemocratic you would have to see it to believe it."

A heavy fundraiser in the village and for Upper Beeding Primary School, Mrs Bailey has taken part in many village events and was one of the key organisers in the revived bath tub race this year. With three children herself, Mrs Bailey said she was keen to move forward the suggested youth council in the village.

She said: "I am really interested in young people and this village does not cater for the young people. That is one of the reasons I wanted to get on to the parish council. We have a lot of teenagers that have nothing to do."

Chairman David Coldwell said: "Donna Bailey came up for co-option and she said who she was and then it was put to a vote. When the vote was taken it went against her. In democracy and elections this is what happens. It was voted by a majority of one."

When asked if the decision had been made with party politics in mind, Mr Coldwell said: "Perhaps it did – only in that her political affiliations were mentioned and people did not like the affiliations she has."

He added: "As chairman of the meeting I did everything to make sure it was as
democratic as possible. The council voted according to what they thought was best for the parish. The council were trying to reflect the view of the parish."

According to Ian Davison, Horsham District Council's monitoring officer, party politics are not banned from parish councils.

He said: "There is no rule at all about parish councils being or not being party political. Often in rural areas they tend not to be."

A witness to the proceedings, Avril Gathern, 37, of Undermill Road, said: "I just went along to support Donna and as I have never been to one of the meetings before. I was absolutely appalled as to what went on. No-body asked her about the village and what she was going to do. They were just interested in her political background."

Mrs Bailey now says she is going to approach the standards board with her complaint.

West Sussex County Times