Another senior figure has exited the Walsall Conservative Party, marking the fourth such resignation in just one year.
A Party That Has 'Lost Its Way'
Councillor Vera Waters, who has represented the Rushall-Shelfield ward since 2018, publicly announced her resignation on Monday, November 24. In a damning statement, she declared she is "totally disillusioned with the Conservative Party" and that it has "totally lost its way."
Councillor Waters revealed that a series of incidents led to her decision. One key factor was an unresolved "issue with a fellow councillor" which she claims was not addressed by the party. This situation then escalated, leading to her being publicly blamed on social media and in local newspapers.
Deselection Drama and a Blocked Candidacy
The final straw for Waters came when the Aldridge Brownhills Conservative Association informed her that she would not be permitted to stand as a candidate in next year's local elections. This was part of a wider, unprecedented move that saw nine sitting Walsall councillors blocked from being candidates.
All nine deselected councillors submitted appeals against the decision. Councillor Waters was among the seven whose appeals were ultimately upheld. Despite this victory, the experience solidified her decision to leave, stating, "my path became plain."
An Uncertain Future for a Local Representative
While her future party affiliation is unknown, Councillor Waters has committed to continuing her service to the community. She affirmed, "My path forward is to continue to support Walsall in whatever way that I can."
She concluded with a powerful sentiment that echoes the feelings of many departing members: "I haven't left the Conservative Party, they have left me." The Conservative Party has been approached for a comment on this latest resignation.
