Dear Sir,
As a resident of Great Chart I have witnessed first hand the cruel campaign of intimidation waged by Ian McClintock and his supporters against the 6 councillors elected in October. It is absolutely disgusting to see Ian McClintock and the pro-development lobby harass, libel and intimidate those with a democratic mandate to oppose the unnecessary and unwanted construction of a South Ashford New Town in the Parish. I suspect that this campaign of intimidation is being orchestrated by the pro-development lobby who are desperate to prevent any objection to their development plans.
Cllr McClintock frequently references meetings he has held with John Bunnett – the Chief Executive of ABC – without the prior knowledge or approval of the PC. The scandalous involvement of John Bunnett when the original 6 councillors elected in May were frightened off has not been forgotten. When the 6 anti-development councillors realised they had been deceived, they asked to take up their seats and join the PC. The Chief Legal Officer even stated that the 6 councillors should be offered newly issued declaration forms for signature. But Ian McClintock refused their request and ignored the advice of the Chief Legal Officer. Instead, Ian McClintock decided to bank the seats won by his supporters and re-run the election only for the seats won by objectors to the development (at a significant cost to residents). ABC refused to intervene to prevent Ian McClintock from proceeding with the election. Voters were so appalled by the actions of John Bunnett, Ian McClintock and the horrific plans being forced upon the area, that objectors to the development achieved a landslide victory and won back all 6 seats, restoring their majority. Following the election result, Ian McClintock has been trying to frighten off the 6 new councillors and build a case against them.
Having lost the election and, consequently, control of the PC, Ian McClintock appears to be trying to sabotage the PC with the support of the pro-development lobby. This is profoundly undemocratic. Cllr McClintock would rather destroy the PC than allow the new majority to take charge. It appears that the people who favour the development have little regard for democracy and are unwilling to accept the election result. Ian McClintock and his backers are seeking to highjack the PC. The events we have witnessed since May show there is almost nothing they won’t do to stop objection to the development. However, the 6 are quorate and capable councillors ready to run the PC and restore it to full working order. To achieve this, Cllr Ian McClintock having lost a vote of no confidence should be removed from the Chair so that the bullying and obstruction of the democratically elected majority of councillors ceases. The truth is that Cllr Ian McClintock’s undemocratic campaign of obstruction and harassment is the only problem with the PC.
Yours sincerely,
Charlotte Fraser
Great Chart
