Whittlesey Town Council heads into another bruising election campaign under the shadow of chaos, walkouts, and an extraordinary series of resignations. Nine Conservative councillors have quit in just six years – the latest, Cllr Elisabeth Sennitt-Clough, leaving with a scathing attack on her own colleagues.
Sennitt-Clough, who represented Whittlesey West on Fenland District Council and the North West ward on Whittlesey Town Council, resigned both seats earlier this month. She described the council chamber as “a playground” and branded fellow councillors “clowns with crayons”. She went further, alleging bullying, “horrible” text messages, and intimidation from Conservative colleagues that made her role untenable.
Her exit follows a now-familiar pattern. The roll call of departed Conservatives includes Kay Mayor, Ray Whitwell, Simon Black, David Mason, Julie Windle, Dave Davies, Luke Turner, and Victoria Lang Whiston. Many cited personal reasons. Others hinted, like Sennitt-Clough, at a toxic atmosphere within the group.
- “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.” – Cllr Elisabeth Sennitt-Clough
Independent councillor Roy Gerstner, who has watched the cycle of resignations with increasing alarm, did not mince words.
“Nine resignations (ALL Conservative Councillors) in the past 6 years – surely this is embarrassing in anyone’s language,” he wrote on a newly published article on his website.
“Asking around, possible would be candidates (all political and independents)
many local people ‘we’ speak too are actually afraid of even standing for election because of what they have seen, heard or witnessed – (remember the recent walkout of many of the public at a Whittlesey Town Council meeting).
- “I feel sorry for the public because they elected me. I really came in with the intention of helping local people.” – Cllr Elisabeth Sennitt-Clough
“On a personal note, I might add, that I’ve never been subjected to bullying or intimidation from any other councillor, that said ‘we’ all get ‘abused verbally’ by members of the public on occasion.
Trying to do the best for our electorate is not as easy as many think.
“Could you do better – why not put up….”
Each resignation brings yet another costly by-election. Just in the past year, Whittlesey has seen contests triggered by the departures of Whitwell, Black, and Turner. Turnout has been low – barely 20% in some wards – fuelling concerns that confidence in local democracy is eroding.
The departures also expose deep cracks in Conservative ranks. Former mayor and council leader David Mason walked away in 2023. Rising candidate Luke Mason lasted less than six months before stepping down. And Sennitt-Clough, once tipped as a future county councillor, quit not just the council but the Conservative Party itself.
- “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.” – Cllr Elisabeth Sennitt-Clough
She claimed her efforts to champion projects for the community were “sabotaged” by colleagues, adding: “I feel sorry for the public because they elected me. I really came in with the intention of helping local people.”
For now, Whittlesey faces an uncomfortable truth. Nine resignations, repeated allegations of bullying, and public disillusionment paint a bleak picture of a council in turmoil – and raise serious questions about whether the Conservative group can continue to command trust.
- “We’ve been here before, with certain hopefuls promising to sort out everyone’s problems. Have they delivered? No.” – Cllr Roy Gerstner
Gerstner added: “We’ve been here before, with certain hopefuls (who were elected) promising ‘everyone’ they spoke too, that ‘they’ would sort out their problem/issues – have they!!! No…”
