Just 4 months after her unsuccessful bid to become a county councillor, Elisabeth Sennitt Clough has resigned from both Fenland District Council and Whittlesey Town Council. Sennitt Clough tweeted today: “If I wanted to be in a playground, I’d work in a nursery. I refuse to waste any more of my time on clowns with crayons”.
Notification of the vacancies on both the district and town councils were published today by Fenland Council.
Earlier this year Sennitt Clough was adopted as Conservative county councillor for March North and Waldersey Division (replacing Cllr Dave Connor at a selection meeting). However, the electorate – in May – voted in two Reform candidates: former county council leader Steve Count losing the other seat.
It is likely her departure from the district council, where she chaired an advisory arts and culture committee, will bring to an end her campaign to run a fresh campaign to establish a Flag of the Fens.
Although one has been in existence for many years, Sennitt Clough had claimed it did not have the endorsement of the Flag Institute which would only be likely if Fenland Council itself put a design forward.
James Bowman, who instigated the now widely accepted Flag of the Fens, referred to the controversy earlier this year and pointed out that he had promoted it for over 6 years and had won a great deal of support.
“The Flag Institute has told me that for the flag to be added to its registry endorsements are needed from elected representatives across the Fens, and to this end I have already secured the support of 2 district councils and 3 MPs,” he said.
“At a meeting of the Culture, Arts & Heritage Executive Advisory Committee of Fenland District Council on 4 February 2025, Cllr Elisabeth Sennitt Clough spoke of the possibility of organising a competition for a flag for the Fens, and it was agreed to discuss the matter further at the next meeting, scheduled for 3 June 2025.”
Mr Bowman said although any such competition “if it takes place, must still be some way off; Cllr Sennitt Clough has contacted elected representatives and possibly candidates for office in the Fens who might wish to support my design to ask them to pause in view of her plans.
“This could have a chilling effect on my efforts to do what the Flag Institute requires me to do”.
All of which now becomes academic after Sennitt Clough’s resignation: support for her competition was tepid even among her fellow Conservative councillors and leader Chris Boden had stated publicly that even if a competition were to go ahead it would not be funded by the council.
Independent town councillor Barry Wainwright said today on social media: “I would like to add my thanks to Elisabeth for the work she has done for town and district in the last two and a half years and wish her well for the future.
“I am concerned, however, that yet another Conservative councillor (the fifth this election period?) has been brought to the point of resignation. What is happening?”
Sennitt Clough describes herself as an award-winning poet, Forward Prize best collection shortlisted poet, magazine editor, creative writing tutor, and local open-mic host.
