Lib Dem resignations threaten control of town council

Liz Salter and Mukesh Bansal, who both represented Victoria Ward, handed in their resignations last week with immediate effect, claiming personal and work commitments made dedicating time to the council difficult.
Prior to the resignations, Victoria Ward was represented by four Liberal Democrat councillors.
At least ten members of the ward must request an election from the monitoring officer at West Berkshire Council within 14 days, from February 28, which will give registered electors the opportunity to vote in their favourite candidates.
Before the resignations, the Liberal Democrats had a 12:11 majority over the Conservatives, meaning both elected candidates need to be Lib Dem for them to retain control of the council.
If one candidate is Lib Dem, and another independent or of another political party other than Conservative, the two parties will have joint control of the council.
If no election is called, the council will fill the vacancies by co-option.
The news of the resignations came the morning after the Liberal Democrats won the Eastleigh by-election, following the resignation of Chris Huhne after his admission he has perverted the course of justice over driving licence points.
Leader of the council Julian Swift-Hook (Lib Dem) said: “I am sad that Liz and Mukesh have resigned, but I recognise, as they do, that it’s the right and honourable thing for them to do in the circumstances.
“I’m grateful to them both for their service to Victoria Ward residents, to the town council, and to the Liberal Democrats.
“In the forthcoming election to fill the vacancies we will be asking the electors of Victoria to support two excellent Liberal Democrat candidates, both with considerable experience and ability as community leaders.
“Particularly in the light of last night’s outstanding and historic Lib Dem victory in Eastleigh we will be working very hard to ensure that Victoria continues to be represented by hard-working Liberal Democrat councillors.”
The new candidates will remain on the council until the next local elections in 2015.