David Renard and Oliver Donachie The election of Coun Tomlinson in Priory Vale my turn the page on a difficult chapter in north Swindon Conservative politics. Until May 2020, Emma Faramarzi, whose resignation triggered this week’s by-election, was a senior member of the ruling Conservative group. She had been a member of the cabinet and was the chairman of an influential overview and scrutiny committee. Her partner Oliver Donachie was the cabinet member with responsibility for the economy in the cabinet of his fellow Haydon Wick councillor David Renard. But relations between Coun Renard and, in particular, Coun Donachie broke down at some point.
David Renard and Oliver Donachie The election of Coun Tomlinson in Priory Vale my turn the page on a difficult chapter in north Swindon Conservative politics. Until May 2020, Emma Faramarzi, whose resignation triggered this week’s by-election, was a senior member of the ruling Conservative group. She had been a member of the cabinet and was the chairman of an influential overview and scrutiny committee. Her partner Oliver Donachie was the cabinet member with responsibility for the economy in the cabinet of his fellow Haydon Wick councillor David Renard. But relations between Coun Renard and, in particular, Coun Donachie broke down at some point.
Stan Pajak Some familiar faces on the Swindon local political scene have left the stage – some by choice, others by the choice of the voters. Long-serving councillors such as Bob Wright, Fay Howard and Vera Tomlinson all ended their service with an extra year. They have finally retired from their ward duties along with Maureen Penny, who was cabinet member for highways and waste services until the local elections. Liberal Democrats leader Stan Pajak, whose time as a councillor in Swindon dates back to the 1990s, lost his seat in Eastcott to Labour by just 44 votes. His departure also means there is no Lib Dem representation in Swindon for the first time in decades.