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South Staffordshire Conservative Association

Sir Patrick Cormack, Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire said today:

“I have today received a copy of a letter sent by the Chairman of the Conservative Party, The Rt Hon Francis Maude, to the Chairman of the South Staffordshire Conservative Association. It is for Mr Billson to comment in detail on this letter but in view of the constant enquiries I am receiving I can say that the letter follows an investigation by the Party’s Deputy Chairman following allegations of irregularities at the meeting of the Executive Council on 12th February. The investigation has established that the attendance register did not appear to reflect an accurate record of those entitled and it has also revealed that more ballot papers were cast than people were present. The Chairman of the Party has therefore believed it necessary to say that the vote be declared invalid.

This is an extraordinary state of affairs and it is now clearly up to the Chairman of the Association to consult with his fellow officers.

For my part I am grateful to those members of the Executive Council who drew these matters to the attention of the Party Chairman, just as I am grateful for the overwhelming support I have received from constituents and colleagues in Parliament over this last difficult two weeks.”