THE decision made by Conservative councillors last Thursday to remove 'respect' from the councillors' code of conduct marks a new low in their contempt for the electorate.
Against the advice of the independent chairman of the council's own standards advisory board, the Tories removed a section of the code which prevents the bullying of members of the public as well as other councillors and council staff.
Without any question, the entire Conservative group followed their leader, Cllr Mike Jones, to remove this safeguard. They took 'respect' out of the council chamber and public life.
The assertion made by the leader of the council that this section of the code of conduct should be replaced by the Nolan Principles of Public Life does not hold up.
If any of the Conservative group had bothered to read the code of conduct they would have seen that the Nolan Principles were already enshrined in the code.
As it stood, the code of conduct gave an added protection to the public which is not covered by the Nolan Principles.
This contempt for the public, for council employees and for other councillors has to stop.
It has no part to play in our public life. It is time to bring back' respect'.
Cllr Samantha Dixon Leader of the Labour Group Cheshire West and Chester Council
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