The Conservative group leader, Geoffrey Theobald, is quoted in The Argus, in a ‘considered’ response to the council budget proposals, as saying: “We on this side of the chamber have had enough. We will not be taking any further part in this debate.”

Today I searched the Conservative party’s website for some explanation of the reason for this decision. It is not there.

I am left wondering whether this is a political stunt, a temper tantrum along the lines of ‘let’s throw our toys out of the pram’ or a collective madness that has taken over the entire Tory group?

Whatever, it is a disgraceful abuse of the democratic process, and a cowardly attitude that entirely undermines the confidence of any voter who might be thinking of voting for them in May 2015.

Geoffrey and colleagues, you may not agree with the Greens’ 5.9% proposed increase, or Labour’s 2%, but surely you should be arguing for your own 0%.

It’s called politics! It’s called democracy!

Of course, I do not vote Conservative, and never will, but if the other two parties behaved like spoilt children, I would not hesitate to take them to task.

Perhaps your group needs an early bedtime?

Alex Knutsen
Unison
Town Hall, Brighton