Fareham councillor quits after criticism for moving to Liverpool

Out of town councillor! Lib Dem councillor who was urged to keep her seat despite moving 255 miles from Hampshire to Liverpool steps down after pressure from Tories to quit role

• Councillor Jean Kelly resigned after being criticised for moving 250 miles away 
• Mrs Kelly’s constituents were in Hampshire but she relocated to Liverpool
• Conservatives slammed her for resigning and costing taxpayers thousands
• The Liberal Democrats allege her retirement was ‘long planned’

A Liberal Democrat councillor has resigned after she was criticised for moving 250 miles from her constituents.

Jean Kelly quit her position following calls from conservatives and Fareham, Hampshire residents who were upset that she relocated to Liverpool.

A by-election will be held next month to replace her which the Tory leader of Fareham Borough Council claims will cost the council and taxpayers ‘several thousands of pounds.’

Mrs Kelly’s retirement was ‘long planned to coincide with the summer break,’ a Liberal Democrat spokesperson alleged. Party officials deemed this would ‘minimise any disruption to the council’ during its annual August holiday.

It is unclear who will replace the councillor, however the Tories claim to have a candidate who is local and  ‘someone on the spot to get things done, who works all year round, and doesn’t just appear at election time.’

Liberal Democrat councillor Jean Kelly (pictured) has resigned after she was criticised for moving 250 miles from her constituents

Mrs Kelly’s departure was announced on Sunday after she left her resignation with the Fareham Borough Council, The Daily Echo confirmed.

It comes just days after her opponents claimed Fareham residents were ‘understandably angry’ that she had moved 250 miles away.

Conservatives issued a statement ‘Portchester Deserves Better’ that urged the councillor to resign.

‘The revelation that the Lib Dem councillor for Portchester actually lives over 250 miles away is just part of a long list of disappointments from the party who continue to make big promises at election time but never deliver,’ a statement issued The Times, read.

‘Portchester residents will be understandably angry and feel let down by this latest dereliction of duty.’

Harry Davis, chairman of the Portchester Conservatives, echoed the letter’s concerns, asking how she could ‘understand or keep up with’ the village’s ‘unique’ issues. He also argued it was ‘time for a change and a fresh start.’

But despite the criticisms, the Liberal Democrats reiterated that Mrs Kelly’s ‘commitment is unwavering.’ 

‘She has brilliantly helped three new Lib Dem Councillors to become fully effective representatives following their election last May,’ the party argued.

‘She has ably represented the views of the people of Portchester in her many years as a member of the party.

‘Jean has not defaulted on any of her council obligations and currently assists with local issues.’

Now, the party has changed its tone, alleging her resignation was ‘long planned.’

‘Jean’s retirement, after years of service to the community, was long planned to coincide with the end of the summer break to minimise any disruption to the council during the annual August holidays,’ a Liberal Democrats spokesperson told The Southern Daily Echo.

‘This was all agreed and her resignation letter was left with the party for submission today to minimise any inconvenience to the Council.

A by-election will be held on October 20 to determine her replacement.

Councillor Sean Woodward, who is the Tory leader of Fareham Borough Council, slammed the resignation, alleging if Mrs Kelly has opted to do so in April it would have been more cost effective.

‘If she resigned in April then the by-election would have been held on polling day at negligible cost,’ he told the newspaper.

‘As it is, her actions have cost the council and the taxpayer of Fareham several thousands of pounds including payments to her. 

Woodward added: ‘Now the good people of Portchester East will have the opportunity to choose a hard-working councillor rather than one who’s still up north.’

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