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Carol O'Gorman stepping down

3:07pm Wednesday 4th April 2007

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Carol O'Gorman, the leader of North Wiltshire District Council, is standing down after a turbulent few months in office.

The Liberal Democrat from Calne has decided not to contest her seat in the upcoming local elections in May.

She has come under increasing pressure over leisure centre funding problems in the district but has remained a central figure in the efforts to save the facilities from closure, particularly in Calne.

She is one of a number of local councillors choosing not to continue their political careers in local government.

Other members standing down include Nancy Bryant, Dick Barton, Alexandra Baines, Nigel Maidment, Timothy Northey, Margaret Rousell and Sophie Scruton, all Conservatives.

Liberal Democrats standing down include Ruth Coleman the former council leader, Peter Davis the council chairman, Ann Davis, Kerrie Dixon, long serving Corsham member Roy Jackson, Gillian Offord, Julian Read and June Wood.

Independent councillors Simon Coy and Martin West are also standing down.

Coun Gorman was unable to comment on the reasons for her decision until she returns from a break.

Do you think Coun O'Gorman has done a good job as leader? Click on the Comment button.

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Your Say YourThe Wiltshire Gazette and Herald

Dave Preston, Chippenham says...
5:01pm Wed 4 Apr 07

Good bloody riddance

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Al, Chippers says...
5:20pm Wed 4 Apr 07

When the going gets tough, the councillors get going!

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Linda Nelson, says...
5:41pm Wed 4 Apr 07

No I don't think Carol O'Gorman did a good job especially the way she handled the closure of Whitehorse leisure Centre. She has done nothing for the people of Calne except causing a lot of upset, and I am still awaiting a reply to letters I wrote to her in November 06 January and February of this year.MS O'Gorman didn't have the courtesy even acknowledging my letters.

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Jan, North wilts says...
8:50pm Wed 4 Apr 07

Cll Gorman and her political allies have been a disaster for North wilts. What council can face the public after taking away a town's sport? After 25 years of voting Lib Dem I have learnt my lesson and will never vote for them again.

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Peter Roberts, Wootton Bassett says...
9:17pm Wed 4 Apr 07

Contrary to the Gazette report I am NOT standing down. To paraphrase a well known quote, news of my demise is much exaggerated!

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Peter Roberts, Wootton Bassett says...
9:28pm Wed 4 Apr 07

...and thankyou Dave Preston and "Al" for the kind words, but this CONSERVATIVE councillor is staying and fighting!!

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anon, Rudloe says...
10:58pm Wed 4 Apr 07

Did she have anything to do with the decision to amalgamate Box Highlands school or face closure....because quite frankly its disgusting the way the L A have handled the whole school affairs, paying suspended head and deputy even after they resigned, then wondering why the school has a deficit of 80,000, and telling us parents we have no choice but to agree to the amalgamation or face closure thats bullying.....was it her?

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Mike, Corsham says...
6:14am Thu 5 Apr 07

Carol "Franky" OGorman and her Lib Dems are consigned to the history books, good ridance I say, I was involved in the Calne elections and they tried every dirty trick in the book. Have you noticed on their election flyers they are saying they have nothing to do with it, and its all the tories fault?

Vote BNP I say and have shot with them all

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debs, calne says...
8:50am Thu 5 Apr 07

Best news ever! She was an awful leader of the council and a disaster for the people of Calne. I for one am glad to see the back of her as I am sure are many others..... Now she just has to move out of Calne and maybe the town can recover.

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Former user of Calne Leisure centre., Pewsham says...
10:25am Thu 5 Apr 07

NO SHE HAS NOT!Perhaps her replacement can help rescue the White Horse Leisure Centre.

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Michael, Wiltshire says...
1:17pm Thu 5 Apr 07

rather than face defeat at the polls for her fiasco at "running" the council she decides to run (over to UKIP I hear?). Calne Abberd ward have a BNP candidate standing. I know him personaly and is a good chap. VOTE ROB BAGGS BNP!

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Stig, says...
1:43pm Thu 5 Apr 07

She has probably been no worse or better than any of those who have gone before her, probably still good that she is going though!
Time to get a major change in local politics and vote out all the existing lot and get a new fresh bunch in who will have fresh ideas and no baggage.
BNP are no answer and lets hope the voters do the sensible thing and stay well clear of them, do we really want to be considered a BNP area???
UKIP are just full of failed politicians from other parties so they should be avoided like a house on fire.

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chris, wilts says...
3:02pm Thu 5 Apr 07

Tell you what "stig", encourage people to vote whichever way you want, that is your right, but dont say things like "we dont want to be known as a "BNP Area" as if it is something to be ashamed of, the BNP, for all the press smears and LibLabCon dirty tricks department, are still the only party with the guts to take on the horrendous issues facing the people oft this country and actually mean it when they say they will do something about it, not just lip service to garner votes.

People should have whatever "area" they vote for, its called democracy, a rare commodity we are trying to save from extinction.

Whichever way it goes on May 3rd at least a lot more people across the country have a real choice now apart from the tired corrupt old gang of three. Democracy will win in the end, let the voters decide, people arent daft and they have had enough of every government taking for no return and lining their own pockets and that of big business. I base my comments on facts as they have unfolded over the years for everyone to see, The BNP are still largely untested but could not possibly do any worse than this lot and actually have policies to look after this country as opposed to the shower in power currently who just want to sell our country out/off to the highest bidder as fast as they can do it.

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Tony Davies, Devizes says...
3:28pm Thu 5 Apr 07

Steady on there Stig - don't tar all councillors with the same brush, there are some good ones out there. O'Gorman has been a disaster but don't forget that four years ago she was part of "a new fresh bunch in who will have fresh ideas and no baggage" You need to have some experienced councillors with good track records, otherwise you could easily get another O' Gormless.

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Dawny, Wilts says...
6:05pm Thu 5 Apr 07

Hey 'Stig' why are you so biased against the Bnp? At least they care enough to stand so that we can preserve our British heritage for us and our children. How do you know what your "Area" would be like "If" it were to become a Bnp one? It Could be a lot better. At least give them a chance should they get in come May 3rd. Be Brave they are a bunch of nice people "If" you take the time to go along and meet them. I know what I'm voting in May BNP all the way.

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Jack Peters, Calne says...
8:10pm Thu 5 Apr 07

Carol O'Gorman standing down is one of the best bits of news I have heard in ages, good riddance. If only Cllr Moore would follow in her footsteps North Wiltshire would be a better place. All these and some of the other Cllr’s at NWDC have done over the past 12 months is lie. They have personally lied to my face, I was informed that they had not been in discussions with DC leisure in January and I have been told subsequently by a DC leisure employee that they have been in talks since at least November. I have no objection to DC leisure running the facilities it is just the lies and deceit by NWDC that has astounded me.
You can always tell when the BNP are targeting an area, they get a few supporters to flood chatrooms and message boards with pro BNP comments and slag off all other parties. I normally vote for the personality in local elections and the party in national election, but I would never stoop so low as to vote for a party or a personality that is pro racisms, runs bigoted campaigns and only has a limited agenda!!
Do not vote BNP they may seem like they have all our interests at heart but they have a limited view.

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Mike, Corsham says...
8:38pm Thu 5 Apr 07

Do not forget to mention that these guardians of democracy put Corsham in hoc for 420k over 22 years, to save their worthless hides. At least the BNP are honest.

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Julie Lovelock, Calne says...
10:18pm Thu 5 Apr 07

Strange that a person who was so central to the efforts to save the leisure centre in Calne was always conspicuous by her absence at any public meetings held to show support for the centre

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Emily Lovelock, Calne, Wilts says...
10:32pm Thu 5 Apr 07

Someone answer my question what did Carol O'Gorman do to help save the sports centre?

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AF, Pewsham says...
9:15am Fri 6 Apr 07

Why stay 'til May?

As has been said above, she hasn't done anything to help the WHLC, or even to explain to the people of Calne what has happened.

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Rob, says...
10:36am Fri 6 Apr 07

I must reply to Michael of Wiltshire when he says that he believes that Carol O'Gorman has gone to UKIP! I can categorically state that this is not true but I admit that the newspaper article does make it appear that way. Dianne Moore has defected to UKIP because she was extremely annoyed that she was hung out to dry by the Lib Dems for the Leisure Centre fiasco when she was not to blame. Also in answer to Stig, there are no failed councillors in UKIP only those who have become disenchanted with the major parties and believe that local democracy is vitally important. People have a real choice now unlike before when it was Lib Dem lies or Conservative dribble.

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John Ireland, Calne says...
11:23am Fri 6 Apr 07

I agree that the paper does make it look like Carol O'G has come to UKIP but
I can catergorically state, for the record, that she has not nor would she be welcome if she tried. Perhaps those who make comments about councillors, any councillors, might have the courage of their convictions to use their correct identity instead of hiding behind pseudonyms, at least Cllrs. do have the courage of their convictions be they right or wrong!

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Rob, says...
11:27am Fri 6 Apr 07

oops, Michael from Wiltshire is none other than Mike Howson chairman of BNP no less so the political rubbishing appears to have started.

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Dave Bland, Calne says...
12:45pm Fri 6 Apr 07

Is Stig one of
the new Candidates ???
I very much doubt it! To be a candidate you need the courage of your convictions and have the honesty to say who you are! This sadly is a vertue which "stig" lacks!!!

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Mike, Corsham says...
1:46pm Fri 6 Apr 07

Well isnt this lively, the Michael from corsham is not me, although I must admit that I am the BNP organiser in Wiltshire, but I have always posted as this. So I havnt rubished anyone. I will just sit here and let the lefties throw their dollies out of the pram. I would say John that you should have a word with the paper about erronious reporting. Any yes unlike the Fragrant and Smelly lefties we are standing in the elections, back to the story though. The councillors that have stepped down should have resigned when their incopetence was first made apparent. Remember Corshams councillors but us in debt to 420K, so good ridence I say

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Ellie Bland, Calne says...
2:11pm Fri 6 Apr 07

Just 2 points to mention:
Point 1.
Having served as a local Councillor for the last 4 years, giving my time and efforts freely, I feel it is a very sad situation when small minorities like stig think 'a new bunch' will do better. Of the present 17 Councillors SOME of us have and continue to support all local issues, so I sincerely hope that we will be reselected to enable us to continue to do so. Especially issues like the Leisure Centre and Policing our streets which affects ALL AGE GROUPS within our Community.
Point 2. UKIP believes and supports:Family Values, Law and Order, Freedom of Speech and is totally AGAINST any form of racism. Therefore those of us who have chosen to stand and support UKIP Policies have done so with the knowledge that no other Party offers or will deliver these essential values to the people. I am disgusted with the article in the G & H this week, which due to the way it has been written, gives the impression that Carol O'Gorman has joined UKIP! SHE HAS NOT JOINED UKIP, but DIANNE MOORE HAS.

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Myrtle Gill, Calne says...
6:44pm Fri 6 Apr 07

Emily Lovelock wrote:
Someone answer my question what did Carol O'Gorman do to help save the sports centre?
Absolutely nothing Emily. As your mum said in her comment, Mrs O'Gorman didn't even have the decency to attend any of the public meetings or respond to people who had been trying to contact her with relevant questions. For someone who used to have Calne's interests at heart, she kept a very low profile when it came to the Leisure Centre issue. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Athena Leisure could do an Easter Resurrection of the White Horse Leisure Centre!

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mike, corsham says...
12:29am Sat 7 Apr 07

Ellie, are you sure Carol OGorman hasnt joined? She might be using a false name like frank, or franklin, of franky.....

Humour you have to love it

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Bill, Wootton says...
12:11pm Sat 7 Apr 07

mike wrote:
Ellie, are you sure Carol OGorman hasnt joined? She might be using a false name like frank, or franklin, of franky..... Humour you have to love it
The problem, as I see it is that Carole is no better - or worse that other members of the political club that has been on the council for more years than I care to remembber. Yet despite all their known failings and the certainty that representatives of the parties they repreaent will continue to fail the people, they appear united in one thing - they don't want any BNP whistleblowers on the council. What is it they are afraid of? What is it they don't want the BNP to find out about one wonders? A good example of this mentality is the continuing silence by North Wilts Conservatives over why James Gray MP claimed £140,000 of our tax money in 2005/6! They want us, the public to vote for them, but treat us with contempt in ignoring this perfectly valid question. Finally it is also noticeavble how those misguided individuals who having lost the political arguement against the BNP and resort to insults and smears also seem to share the stance of the Tories in not joining the BNP is demanding answers on how our tax money is spent by Gray - a question a lot of local people would like an answer to.
The bottom line is - when the going gets tough for the establishment parties you can guarantee that the left and the paid and bough foreign-owned media (i.e. Swindon Advertiser) will rush to its aid.

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mgeorge, N Wilts says...
8:41pm Sun 8 Apr 07

Carol o'Gorman has been so airy fairy with her decisions as a leader that she has caused no end of difficulties at NWDC. It will be good to get some clear direction. Thanks to Carol for doing the honorable thing!

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The voice of reason, Wootton Bassett says...
9:14pm Mon 9 Apr 07

O’Gorman was totally out of touch with the electorate failing to understand the strength of feeling about leisure centres. Dianne Moore was the leisure “figurehead” in this fiasco. Both failed to adapt or correct their course adequately. The end was in sight a few months ago. Why the UKIP supporters believe that this was not Moore’s doing needs some explaining, as she presided over the fiasco?

I am left wondering when I read the comments from the “good councillors that are left”… and believe me I do honestly think that there are good people who give of their time freely. Nevertheless, where were they all when the decisions were made to shut leisure centres and other facilities? What did they do?

As for UKIP and the BNP you have real credibility issues. If you want people to vote for you need to make sure that your policies are clear so the electorate know what they can expect. His private life aside, which I’m not impressed by, at least James Gray got off his arse and did a number of things to support the community and fight for the leisure centres. I’ve no idea what O’Gorman did for any campaign.

Our communities need to focus on what is right, not what suits us today. For example the **** only started in Corsham and Chippenham when there was threat to a community centre in Corsham and the leisure centre in Chippenham. I’m “all right jack” was common enough then – very disappointing as this just reflected the self centred society that we now live in. So, to all you would be councillors from UKIP, BNP or mainstream parties, you have a lot to do to convince the electorate that you aren’t a bunch of power hungry self centred individuals. You have Mrs O’Gorman to thank for that and a lot of work to do before May!

I won’t be voting Lib Dem (incompetence). UKIP have adopted a stray in Dianne Moore; same applies. The BNP (what do they really stand for?…. well you’re having a “giraffe”! So all you “honest councillors” better stand up and be counted, because to be defeated by that other shower would be embarrassing and very bad for our communities

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Robert Baggs, Calne says...
9:38am Tue 10 Apr 07

Whether Carol O'Gorman has joined UKIP or not is immaterial, people I have spoken to on the doorstep link her with the town as well as district council so all are tainted by association. It may be of interest that the BNP have had more success at local elections than UKIP with areas previously considered as UKIP strongholds failing to field any candidates (see BNP web-site). UKIP like to suggest that the BNP are "racist" whatever that means, but I and all of my colleagues within the BNP, as anyone who knows us will confirm, are not "racist" . Let those standing at the elections next month be judged on what they say, not what others say they say. Let the contest begin! (Ps the postings by Rob above are not mine)

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Brian Heath, Calne says...
11:37am Wed 11 Apr 07

I'm glad that Carol O'Gorman is stepping down - but as she is a Calne Town Councillor and represents Calne on the District Council, she should have resigned on 31st March to mark to success of her campaign to close down the White Horse Leisure Centre. Why is she waiting for the elections in May to stand down?

In the local elections I always give my vote to the candidate (if any) who can onvince me that they have MY interests at heart, and will do their best to make things better for the ward I live in. Party politics have no place in local government, in my opinion. In any case there is no one party which could ever represent all of the views of every voter. The LibDems have proved themselves to be a disaaster in local government, not least in NWDC, Labour have proved themselves totally incompetent at a national level for the last ten years, and the Tories can offer no credible alternatives, either as to potential leaders of the country or as to policies. UKIP, and even the BNP, seem to have some very good ideas and the guts to stand up and say the unthinkable as regards the unfettered influx of foreigners into our country, but neither party has any hope of forming any kind of administration either locally or nationally and the BNP still has a lot of work to do to shake off its Nazi associations and its perceived racism - though if daring to say that we have too many foreigners in the UK is racist, then I'm as guilty as any BNP member!
Let's keep to our local issues in May and elect people who will fight, regardless of politics, for the people of Calne and the resurrection of our Leisure Centre.

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Comments are closed on this article.

Carol O'Gorman will not be standing in the May elections Carol O'Gorman will not be standing in the May elections

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