Cllr Connor McConville Leaves Labour Party to join Liberal Democrat and Independent Group

Cllr Connor McConville Leaves Labour Party to join the Liberal Democrat and Independent Group

Cllr Connor McConville (pictured) quietly left the Labour Party on the 18th February. First elected to the District Council for the East_Folkestone_Ward on 2 May 2019 with 558 votes, Cllr McConville was re-elected on 4 May 2023 with an increased majority of 1,030 votes.

From 2 May 2019 until 2024, Cllr McConville served as the group leader of the Folkestone & Hythe District Labour Party. He has since been succeeded by Cllr Adrian Lockwood. Despite his departure, Cllr McConville is still listed as a Labour Party member on the party’s official website.

Cllr McConville has now joined the Liberal Democrat and Independent Group, which includes Cllr Tim Prater, Cllr Gary Fuller, and Cllr Paul Thomas (all pictured).

Cllr McConville said with regards to joining the new group:

”I am looking forward to working with new partners, with a fresh approach, to ensure our council is in the best position to deliver for local residents.”

As a result of his decision to leave the Labour Party, Cllr McConville has stepped down from his role as Chair of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Sub-Committee. However, he retains his position on the Folkestone and Hythe Joint Transportation Board and continues to serve on the following external bodies:

• Boulogne and Shepway Co-Operation
• Folkestone and Hythe Business Advisory Board
• Otterpool Park LLP – Members/Owners
• South East Employers

In 2019, Cllr McConville raised the issue of glyphosate used by the council stating:

There is evidence to suggest that glyphosate and a wide range of other herbicides and pesticides may be harmful to human health.

The use of pesticides and weed killers reduces biodiversity, impacting negatively on insects, birds and bees, in a time when the world is losing 2.5% of its insect population per-year.

Harmful weed killer residues can creep into the food chain.

Pets and children should not be playing in parks treated with such chemicals.”

In 2020, all parties, Greens, Lib Dems and Labour were offered offered a place on Cllr David Monk’s cabinet as part of a new power-sharing arrangement. The Greens & Lib Dem leader took the offer up and Cllr McConville refused.

In Feb 2021, Cllr McConville, said of the use of Napier Barracks for migrants, it “has caused a breakdown in cohesion in our community. It’s not fit for purpose and should be closed.”

When speaking to a number of other local Labour Cllrs at district, one said of his departure, “yes he has gone, and he won’t be missed“. Well, no love lost there then.

The Shepway Vox Team

Dissent is NOT a Crime