From the Durham County Advertiser 50 years ago... (From Durham Times)
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From the Durham County Advertiser 50 years ago...
9:10am Friday 6th July 2012 in Looking Back
From the Durham County Advertiser 50 years ago...
The Neville’s Cross by-election controversy has taken a dramatic turn with the resignation from the Durham City Civic Association of Coun John C Williamson, who has accused it of “dictatorial bulldozing” in doing its best to stifle the enthusiastic display of interest in local government by residents in the ward.
The controversy flared up when the Association selected its secretary, Mr Colin Beswick, to contest the vacant seat without consulting residents.
The latter then held their own selection meeting and chose Mr Tom Leonard to stand as an Independent candidate.
Giving his reasons for resigning from the Association, Coun Williamson said that the attitude of the Association over the selection of a candidate left no doubt in his mind that it was out of touch with the needs of Neville’s Cross residents.
He had nothing whatever against Mr Beswick but he disagreed with the method of his selection by the Civic Association and consequently he supported the second Independent candidate, Mr Leonard.
