Two members of Torbay Council, Katya Maddison and Patrick Joyce, have recently left the Conservative Party and established a new group called Prosper Torbay. Their decision was driven by their dissatisfaction with the Tory leadership and their desire to advocate for the people of Torbay. This development has led to a change in the political composition of the council, with the Conservatives maintaining control with 17 seats, while the Liberal Democrats have 15 seats, the Independent Group has two seats, and Prosper Torbay now has two seats as well.
Maddison and Joyce have expressed criticism towards the Tory administration’s handling of important issues such as the high street, homelessness, and housing. They believe that more needs to be done to support local businesses and address these pressing concerns. One of their key goals is to be able to challenge projects while they are still being formulated to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Both councilors emphasized that their focus is on working for the benefit of all Torbay residents. They believe that investment must be linked to other essential changes in order to make a real difference. They described businesses on the high street as “fragile” and stressed the importance of actively advocating for the necessary changes to support the community.
Although the Conservative leader of Torbay Council expressed disappointment in Maddison and Joyce’s decision to leave the party, he has called on them to face by-elections in their respective communities. He believes that they should be accountable to the people who elected them just five months ago. However, the two councilors have not yet made their plans regarding the by-elections public.
This development highlights the need for effective leadership and communication within political parties, as well as the importance of constantly addressing the concerns of constituents. As Torbay Council moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the new group, Prosper Torbay, will influence the political landscape and advocate for the interests of the people of Torbay.
FAQ
1. Why did Katya Maddison and Patrick Joyce leave the Conservative Party?
Katya Maddison and Patrick Joyce grew dissatisfied with the Tory leadership and wanted to stand up for the people of Torbay.
2. What is the new group called?
The new group formed by Maddison and Joyce is called Prosper Torbay.
3. How has the political composition of Torbay Council changed?
The Conservatives maintain control of Torbay Council with 17 seats, while the Liberal Democrats have 15 seats, the Independent Group has two seats, and Prosper Torbay now has two seats as well.
4. What were the reasons behind the criticism from Maddison and Joyce?
The councillors criticized the Tory administration’s neglect of the high street as well as their failure to tackle homelessness and housing issues.
5. What are Maddison and Joyce’s goals for Prosper Torbay?
Maddison and Joyce aim to challenge projects while they are still in the formulation stage to prevent previous failures. They also want to advocate for the necessary changes that will make a difference for the people of Torbay.