IN-FIGHTING MARS START OF CITY TORY CAMPAIGN

Langstone City Councillor Simon Lane has criticised fellow councillor David Atwell in a strongly worded newsletter to local residents recently received by thisisnotgwent.co.uk. Lane was expelled from Newport City Council's Conservative Group in November. At the time Group leader Matthew Evans stated "Despite repeated warnings and every opportunity to remedy the situation, he has clearly breached group rules and only has himself to blame." However, Lane, who now sits as an independent Conservative, has criticised his Conservative colleague Atwell for failing to work with him in the interests of all residents. He claims Atwell has used his position to exclude Lane's contribution to a local residents newspaper claiming that it omits information that "might be considered less than favourable" to the Conservative councillor. He accuses Atwell of censorship and states that he will be calling on every household in the ward in the coming weeks. Lane attaches his contribution to the Communities First newsletter, he claims that editor Alan Perry excluded the article because it criticised Mr Atwell. Perry claims that Mr Lane was away on business when it went to press.
The article contains emphatic criticism of Atwell claiming that he has failed to contact Lane on any Ward issue in all the time they have been councillors and stating that this is odd given they both belong to the same political party. He states Atwell resigned as Chair of Newport East Conservative Association when it became apparent that he and his wife would not be selected as candidates for Langstone. He claims Atwell campaigned against his own party when his wife stood in the neighbouring Llanwern ward. In addition, Lane states Atwell "chose to miss" a crucial Council meeting concerning the controversial residential development at Taylor's Garage.
Lane voted with the Council's ruling Labour Group to approve a Council Tax increase of 3.5 per cent for the coming year.