Vote of no confidence in Blackpool South MP put forward

The Vote was Unanimous among Blackpool Tory Councillors.

Scott Benton, Tory MP for Blackpool south, has had a vote of no confidence put forward against him by Tory Councillors in a public statement released over the weekend.

The statement was put out due to issues that Councillors have had with the MP, which they say came after a long period of deliberation.

It was said that there has been a long-standing issue between the two parties due to a lack of "dialogue or involvement" with the Conservative Councillor Group. 

The claimed in the letter are that Mr. Benton was "openly promoting selected candidates who were found to have published offensive and disgusting comments", but this has yet to be confirmed.

However, this comes not long after the resignation of the previous leader of the Conservative group for Blackpool Council, Councillor Tony Williams, over allegations of Blackmail. 

Cllr. Williams denies the allegations, saying that he wrote to Mr. Benton warning of a vote of no confidence if the MP put forward certain selections for local elections this May.  

In a statement obtained by Coastal Radio, Cllr. Williams said: "I Just didn't like the way the local Conservative party was heading. I have been leader of the Conservative Group on the council for 8 years and we had a very united set of Councillors."

he added: "However the madness and Self-Destruct mission the National Party are embroiled in plus a fall out with Scott Benton MP re-awakened my senses that this was not the party I joined."

When asked for comment about the publishing of the letter of no confidence against himself, Scott Benton MP said: "The Purported letter does not reflect the feelings of the members of my association in any way shape or form. 

"Several councillors who are named within the letter, have spoken to me about it and had no knowledge of it whatsoever. They have stated that they wouldn't have agreed to it, or signed it, in case".

He goes on to say "Following the suspension of Cllr Williams from the party, I hope the local association can move on and concentrate upon fighting May's local elections. As ever, my focus will be on serving the residents of Blackpool South".

We will update this story as it unfolds.