Lancaster Tory councillor told he's not allowed to stand in 2019 election

A Conservative Councillor and former Mayor of Lancaster has been told he won't be allowed to stand in the 2019 council elections.
Coun Roger MaceCoun Roger Mace
Coun Roger Mace

Coun Roger Mace, who has represented Kellet Ward since 1999, has been told that his application to be placed on the approved list of Conservative Local Government candidates for the city council elections next May was unsuccessful.

Coun Mace, who was Mayor of Lancaster in 2017-18, said he would be submitting an appeal against the decision.

Coun Mace outside Morecambe Town HallCoun Mace outside Morecambe Town Hall
Coun Mace outside Morecambe Town Hall
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He said: “In the meantime, I can assure my electorate that this unexpected decision does not affect my duty as a Councillor to serve the local electorate of my Ward.

“My Conservative principles are unchanged.

“I remain a member of the Conservative Party, and I intend to continue to represent the electorate in my ward to the best of my ability.”

A spokesman for the Conservatives said: “We are currently in the process of selecting candidates to fight in the May 2019 local elections. Selections are an internal matter for each association and as such we would not comment on individual cases.”

Coun Mace became leader of Lancaster City Council in 2007, the first Conservative leader for 17 years.

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However he resigned in 2009 due to “carping, bickering and political point scoring” within the cabinet.

He said at the time: “In the local elections in May 2007, the electors gave no political party a majority.

“So with the support of other parties I undertook the leadership of a five group proportional representation cabinet comprising two Conservatives, two Labour, two Greens, one Liberal Democrat and three Independents (actually Morecambe Bay Independents).

“I chair the Cabinet, and am Leader of the Council, but neither I nor the Conservative Group can control the decisions made in either place.

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“It was obvious to everyone, including myself that this was always going to be difficult, but it was a challenge I willingly accepted in the hope that by working together we could improve, even if in a modest way, the quality of life that the Council can offer to the people of Lancaster and Morecambe and the smaller towns and villages in the other parts of the District.”