Burgess Hill and Mid Sussex Local Elections 2011
Liberal Democrats Play Musical Chairs

No readers, this isn't a report of a party game played by the Lib Dems when celebrating the end of the elections. This is metaphorical musical chairs.

For some reason, sitting councillors Eileen Balsdon (Victoria Ward) and Heather Ross (Franklands Ward) are changing wards, but not within Burgess Hill.

Eileen will be standing for election in Copthorne and Worth whilst Heather will be looking to win a seat for Ardingly and Balcombe.

This is staggering news, it really is. They are deserting the people that elected them in 2007 in the wards where they live in order to stand for election in villages of which they appear to have no connection! Potential political suicide at its finest.

Why have the Lib Dems done this?
Why did the Lib Dems not just place candidates that are not already Councillors to stand in those wards? They are going to need one hell of an election campaign in order to convince the residents of these villages that Eileen and Heather can do them a great service as councillors.

This is almost as bad as the Emily White saga!

It can only be that Eillen and Heather are helping to make up the numbers and aren't bothered if they retain their presence on the council. If they have been moved for tactical reasons then it is destined to fail! Although, if you offered me the chance to vote for the rather attractive Heather Ross over Conservative cabinet member Gary Marsh, then I would of course go with Heather. Unseating Mr Marsh would be quite the achivement! Perhaps the Lib Dems think the charming Mrs Ross can flash voters a smile and thus the residents can look past the fact that she doesn't live in their villages.

As a resident of the Victoria Ward in Burgess Hill, I can't really say that I'll be sad to lose Eileen Balsdon as my district councillor. As far as I'm aware she's done nothing of note in her 4 years. I've not spotted any sort of online presence from her, nothing in the 'Focus' newsletters or in the local media.

Eillen should never have become a councillor in 2007 anyway, she shockingly beat her fellow Lib Dem candidate Graham Knight when the residents of the Victoria Ward opted to vote for ladies over political reputation. Back in 2007 she was making up the numbers and this appears to be the case again in 2011. Can she get lucky twice? I'm sure she doesn't want to be!

The Conservatives must be laughing hysterically back at their local HQ. It's going to be 2 seats down for the Lib Dems.

What do you think? Leave a comment.
Readers, are you as baffled by these decisions by the Lib Dems as much as we are? How do you feel about your local councillors ditching you in favour of some villages? Do they stand any chance of regaining their seats on the District Council?