A Leading Stafford Councillor has warned that a reduction in the number of Conservative Councillors appointed to run the Council will be bad for democracy. Cllr Barry Stamp, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group made the comments following last night's Council meeting at which a new Conservative run Cabinet of only six Councillors was appointed.

"I was appalled and saddened to see that at the first meeting of the Council since the Conservatives took control, they had decided to reduce the number of Councillors in the Cabinet down to just six members. Over the past few years the Conservatives have complained bitterly that decisions were taken in the old Council by just eight Councillors, and that no one else had any say. However within days of taking control they themselves have reduced this number even further. It now means six Councillors will make all the decisions that affect the lives of every resident in the Borough, and the other 53 members of the Council will have no say in what is decided. This decision to vest power in even fewer people goes against everything the Conservatives have been saying for the past few years. I believe this decision is bad for democracy. I am sure that when residents voted a few weeks ago they expected to elect Councillors who would have a real influence, and I am also sure they would have been appalled to know they were handing power to just six individuals," said Councillor Stamp.

"Giving all this power to just six Councillors cannot be good for the Borough," said Cllr Stamp.