Eastbourne Councillor Resigns Over Vote In Support Of Airbourne

Friday, 14 October 2022 06:14

By Huw Oxburgh, Local Democracy Reporter

An Eastbourne councillor has resigned from the Liberal Democrats, following a vote on the future of the town’s annual airshow.

On Thursday (October 13), Old Town councillor Jonathan Dow announced his resignation from the Liberal Democrats, saying a vote earlier in the week in support of Airbourne returning in 2023 had been the ‘last straw’.

He will now sit as an independent councillor until the end of his term.

In a resignation letter sent to Liberal Democrats and seen by the LDRS, Cllr Dow said:

“It appears incredulous that in July 2019 we can vote through unanimously at full council a climate change emergency motion complete with cross party support, then in less than three years we vote to continue a significant carbon-producing event like Airbourne.”

He added:

“I am deeply disappointed in our lack of ambition and apparent inability to make changes where the environment is concerned.

“I am equally disappointed that our group contributes to the public’s negative view of politics by making policy and passing motions that it does not fulfil, and in fact subsequently makes decisions that are completely contrary to the commitments already made.”

The vote which sparked Cllr Dow’s resignation took place at a scrutiny committee meeting held on Monday (October 10).

During the meeting, councillors from both the Lib Dems and Conservatives unanimously agreed to support the return of Airbourne in 2023, as long as the event took steps to reduce its carbon emissions. This support does not amount to confirmation of the event going ahead, however.

Cllr Dow spoke during the meeting, calling on the committee not to support the airshow returning due to its environmental impact.

He had also questioned the quality of the evidence on which the committee made their decision, arguing that they should have at least sought further information before voting.