A councillor who has resigned from Argyll and Bute’s ruling administration will now sit as an independent after being suspended from the authority’s Conservative group.
Tommy MacPherson, who represents the South Kintyre ward, resigned from the Argyll, Lomond and Islands Group (TALIG) – a coalition of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and some independents – on Wednesday after saying he had expressed ‘serious misgivings’ about how the group operated.
The leader of the Conservative group on the council, Gary Mulvaney, has now confirmed that Cllr MacPherson has been suspended by the party and will sit as an independent.
TALIG has controlled the council for nine years but its power is now on a knife-edge as it has 18 of the 36 available seats.
In his resignation letter, Councillor MacPherson – who is serving as a councillor for the first time, having only been elected in May of this year – said that his priorities were ‘focused to that of the individual and not the public authority.
Cllr Mulvaney said today: “Like me, Tommy is a committed unionist, so to see him leave the team is disappointing.
“The transition to the councillor role can be challenging and frustrating at times and maybe that had an effect.
“Personally, for me it is all about being able to work cohesively and patiently build relationships with officers and fellow members towards a common plan and goal.
“Within TALIG, we have range of experience, those with parties and those without, young and older, but we are united in a one-team approach that is open, respectful, transparent and focussed on the best for our communities.”
Cllr Mulvaney then said that he had suspended Cllr MacPherson as a Conservative councillor and he would now sit as an independent.
Cllr MacPherson’s resignation letter said: “I was elected to represent South Kintyre constituents, who have remained my primary focus throughout.
“I joined the TALIG Group forming an administration in the understanding I would serve and represent, through local government, the best interests of the wider community of Argyll and Bute.
“In recent weeks I have raised searching questions within the administration as to the functionality of TALIG.
“Quintessentially, what does TALIG stand for, the Conservative group’s position within the TALIG and TALIG’s modus operandi with officers and opposition members?
“For what is being played out on a weekly basis I would be negligent in my elected duty to continue having my misgivings marginalised.
“I have therefore taken the decision to resign as deputy policy lead for roads and infrastructure and from the TALIG administration group.
“I remain steadfast to my South Kintyre constituents whom I will continue to serve to the best of my ability.”
He has been contacted for reaction to his suspension.
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