Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association

26/08/2026

Equal representation at threat from Lincoln Labour. It is important that in the new Lincoln Unitary Authority, which will take in a southern chunk of West Lindsey, each councillor should represent a similar number of residents.

🗳️ ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE

Cllr Thomas Dyer and Lincoln Conservatives are calling on the Labour leader of the City of Lincoln Council to withdraw her proposed warding arrangements for the new Lincoln unitary authority.

The proposals submitted to Government by Cllr Tweddle would create significant differences in the level of democratic representation across the proposed authority.

Under the Labour proposal, a councillor representing Minster ward in the City would represent approximately 1,849 residents, while a councillor representing Witham St Hughs would represent approximately 4,354 residents.

👉 In other words, residents in some communities would have substantially greater democratic representation than residents elsewhere.

We recognise that perfect electoral equality is not possible. But democratic representation should be determined by the number of people, rather than socio-economic factors such as levels of deprivation.

📖 The Boundary Commission’s guidance is clear: where electors in some parts of a council area are under-represented, their influence over council decisions is diminished.

Cllr Thomas Dyer and Lincoln Conservatives believe the principle should be simple:

One person, one vote.

🗣️ Cllr Thomas Dyer said:

“The practical effect of the Labour Party approach is that some communities would enjoy significantly greater representation than others. I believe that this undermines the fundamental democratic principle that each person’s vote should carry broadly equal weight.”

📢 We are therefore calling on the Leader of the City Council to:

• Withdraw the letter submitted to Government on 17 August.

• Support the alternative warding proposal prepared by the council’s Senior Responsible Officer, which is based on electoral equality.

• Work constructively with the other councils across Lincolnshire to secure a fair and balanced outcome for residents.

Every resident of the new Lincoln unitary authority deserves broadly equal democratic representation, regardless of where they live.

🗳️ One person. One vote. Equal representation.

25/08/2026

Thanks to all who joined us for a wonderful fundraising BBQ at Grayingham on Saturday. Excellent weather, great food and lots of raffle and tombola prizes on offer!

20/08/2026

The best way to boost our economy, reduce the cost of living, and protect the environment is to make electricity cheap.

Join Claire Coutinho as she makes the case for cheap, reliable energy.

Live on Facebook from 10:30am.

30/07/2026

shining a 24 hour spotlight on agriculture up and down the country. Gainsborough Constituency is proud to be one of the largest farming constituencies in England.

19/07/2026

Reform are rewriting the rules to stifle debate at Lincolnshire County Council.

Their proposed constitution changes would force motions to be submitted ten clear working days before a meeting. Amendments would need to be lodged three working days in advance, complete with financial commentary.

Reform want every amendment seen, processed and managed before councillors even enter the chamber. That is not open debate. It is pre-approved politics.

The chairman would gain power to propose merging amendments from the same political group. Each councillor would be limited to one amendment on any motion or agenda item. Councillors speaking at committees would face new notice requirements and a three-minute limit.

They also want electronic voting written into the constitution, but the report gives no cost, no budget, no procurement plan and no timetable.

So opposition motions must come with detailed financial commentary, yet Reform’s own electronic voting proposal comes with no price tag at all.

This is not modernisation. It is control.

- Control over what can be debated.

- Control over when amendments can be submitted.

- Control over how many can be moved.

- Control over how councillors can speak.

Lincolnshire councillors are elected to challenge decisions, test arguments and speak for local residents. They are not here to rubber-stamp decisions prepared in advance.

Reform promised to shake up the council. Instead, they are tightening the rules around anyone who dares to challenge them.

16/07/2026

16/07/2026

The areas of the two new Lincolnshire councils are exactly what Labour run Lincoln City Council proposed…

16/07/2026

Labour announce West Lindsey to be abolished. Southern part will be amalgamated into a ‘Greater Lincoln’ City Council, the rest to fall into a ‘Rest of Lincolnshire’ Council.

Local Government Reorganisation- Decision announced for Lincolnshire

Many of you will be aware that County and District Councils are set to be removed and replaced with a unitary model.

We have today received confirmation of what this will look like, and the Labour government have announced that Lincolnshire will be split into two unitary councils which comprise of the current City of Lincoln council area being extended to take in some , areas of West Lindsey and North Kesteven.

The second unitary council will cover the rest of Lincolnshire (so South Holland, South Kesteven, East Lindsay, Boston and the parts of West Lindsey and North Kesteven not being included in the Lincoln city model.