Political opposition has an important role to play in all levels of democratic government but it needs to be conducted seriously, in a consistent and principled way, not through broadcasting hypocritical nonsense through social media. – Owl 

From Independent Cllr. Paul Hayward’s facebook post 7 June

Having now met with most of my fellow Councillors at DCC, and most of the newly and democratically elected Reform group, I am somewhat disappointed that their supporters and campaigners in East Devon insist on claiming that the new administration at DCC (of which I am not a part I must add) has acted in an undemocratic way by not appointing any Reform Councillors to the Cabinet. The words “disgraceful” have been bandied about by social media commentators and elected cllrs alike.

I can understand why they might be disgruntled, and upset, but that is politics, but it is certainly not undemocratic. For if it were, then they would leap at the chance to also criticise Leicestershire County Council where Reform won 45% of the seats on a 32% total vote share, and have formed a minority administration themselves, with 100% of all Cabinet seats being shared amongst their group – plus the Chair and Vice Chair.

Nothing unlawful or unusual about that – to the victor, the spoils etc – but it is a little bit hypocritical to then criticise another political group at another County Council with a similar cllr demographic and then also refuse to publish a comment making that observation in the interests of transparency and veracity.

I look forward to working with all my DC Cllr colleagues in the greater interests of helping everyone in Devon, and I also wish all Cabinet members the very best as they face the unenviable task of trying to unpick the financial maelstrom that is engulfing DCC, like so many larger authorities with adult and child care responsibilities and expenditure.

I would beseech local campaign teams to get involved in helping their elected councillors do the very best in their communities rather than putting out social media commentary that glaringly overlooks what their own party is doing elsewhere in the country.

Updated 1900 to include an example from the Reform Exmouth and Exeter East face book page.

Text reads:

NO MAJORITY. NO FAIRNESS.

On May 1st, no party won a majority… but the Liberal Democrats have chosen to fill Devon’s Cabinet entirely with their own councillors, bar one seat handed to the Greens!

Reform came a strong second in seat numbers. We’ve been given ZERO Cabinet roles.

For a party that champions proportional representation, this decision says it all.

Our 18 Reform councillors will now focus on Scrutiny Committees: holding the council to account, protecting taxpayers’ money and fighting for the people who elected us.

We are here to do the job you voted us in to do!