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Deputy mayor ousted by Tories in vote row
By Eva Astreinidou THE deputy mayor of Henley-onThames has been expelled from the town’s Conservative branch after party in-fighting. The decision comes after Councillor Lorraine Hillier refused to support party colleague Will Hamilton at the mayor-making ceremony in May. She abstained from the mayoral vote, allowing Kellie Hinton, of the rival Henley Residents’ Group (HRG) to secure the top civic role on the town council. Cllr Hillier then accepted a nomination by HRG to be deputy mayor. Cllr Hillier, who also sits as a Conservative on South Oxfordshire District Council, says she will appeal against the decision to expel her from the local Tory branch and from its organising committee, claiming that ‘correct procedure was not followed’. Conservative town councillor Julian Brookes said: “The main objective of any political party is the election of its members to elected office. “It is of course her democratic right to do so, but the manner in which she abstained from voting went against the main objective of any political party, and I think that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.” He added: “Of course she deserves to be heard, but her refusal to vote is what prompted the decision for her to leave the Henley committee.”
The decision to expel her was made in late July when the committee voted unanimously in favour of motions put forward by new branch chairman Frank Browne. According to Mr Browne, he spoke to Cllr Hillier on July 14 before the decision-making meeting to discuss her membership. He said he decided to address the issue as it was a ‘distraction’, adding it could have been ‘handled better’ historically. Speaking about their meeting, he said: “She made it very clear then that she didn’t see a way back to the branch. She felt it was appropriate for her to resign. I thought that decision was the most logical one.” However, on the day of the branch committee meeting, she emailed him to say that she had changed her mind about quitting. He added: “I don’t understand why. She has not been a very active member and did not help in campaigning in May.” Speaking on Tuesday, Cllr Hillier said: “I can only comment that action was taken at a branch meeting I was not notified of. “I do not know who attended and voted to remove me from the branch. Apparently my name had been ‘missed off’ the agenda. On this basis correct procedure was surely not followed.” She still represents the Conservatives on SODC and remains a member of the national party.
Campaigners protest at farm market
Protesters held a peaceful vigil at Thame Farmers Market on Friday to oppose the ‘cruel’ meat and dairy industry. Activists from The Save Movement held the vigil to show their opposition towards the trading of animals. Activist Katie Harkins said: “The Save Movement gives the animals the love and respect they deserve within this cruel industry, we let the animals know that they are not commodities or food but sentient beings.”