Conservatives No Longer Hold Overall Majority Of Dover District Council

The Conservatives no longer have an overall majority on Dover District Council.

Cllr Paul Dawkins, who was a Conservative councillor representing Walmer, has resigned from the Conservative Party and joined the Liberal Democrats. That means the political make-up of the council is now 22 Conservatives, 17 Labour, three Independents and three Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Dawkins said: "I am looking forward to working with Liberal Democrat councillors to make a real difference to Walmer, and to the Dover District."

He said his decision came after careful deliberation. "We need to restore political balance to the Council to make it more responsive to local needs. The Lib Dems will give me the opportunity to work with a committed team, something that I have not had previously."

He believes that much more can be done by working together with Liberal Democrat Councillors Clive Meredith and Peter Lodge. "I will be able to meet with officers at Dover District Council with a common aim," he said.