Derbyshire Tory suspended for criticising care home cuts

A Conservative county councillor who criticised his own party’s plans to potentially close council-run care homes and day centres across Derbyshire has been suspended.

Nigel Gourlay said he “would not have voted for his own party” if he had known the proposals would be put forward.

An email from the party’s parliamentary group leader, seen by the BBC on Friday, confirmed his suspension from the Conservative group.

Mr Gourlay said: “This is to help keep other Conservative MPs whose care homes are threatened with closure in line.”

The councillor, who now sits as an independent, spoke at a meeting earlier this week in favour of a Labour opposition motion to investigate the impact of Derbyshire County Council’s plans.

He raised concerns about the future of the Eccles Fold Resource Centre, which provides day care for people with dementia, and the Whitestone care home, both in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

His comments were heavily criticized by his own conservative colleagues.

Derbyshire County Council is considering closing up to 11 council-run care homes and eight dementia day centres in a bid to revamp services and save money.

The Unison union had previously stated that cuts to local authority budgets would amount to around £32 million over the next 12 months – mainly in adult and child social care.

“These facilities in my area and others are vital to the well-being of our people,” Gourlay told the BBC.

“If these are cancelled, it will have an impact on the NHS and the bed blockage.”

Commenting on his suspension, Mr Gourlay said: “I suspect (my suspension) is to keep other Conservative members in line whose area care homes are threatened with closure.”

“It was clear from my reply that I was disloyal to the party, but my priority is my neighbors and they must be the first priority for every city councilor.”

Mr Gourlay added that there were “mixed” views on the issue within his own party, from those who fully agree with the plans to others who are uncomfortable with them.

An email sent to Mr Gourlay by group leader Stuart Swann said: “This email is to inform you of the decision of the Group Leader to suspend your membership of the Conservative Group on Derbyshire County Council.”