David Hodge’s resignation makes the need for full disclosure from the Government more pressing - Teresa Pearce

Teresa Pearce, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, commenting on the news that Surrey County Council Leader David Hodge is standing down as the Local Government Association’s Conservative group leader, said: 

"It appears that the row around the Tory sweetheart deal for Surrey Council has claimed a victim with the resignation of David Hodge as the man responsible for standing up for all Tory councils. Perhaps that’s unsurprising given the accusations he colluded with the Government over a favourable deal not available to other councils.

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“This doesn’t put the matter to bed however. Theresa May has failed to come clean about the terms of the deal offered to Surrey, failed to apologise for her Government’s misleading suggestion that there had been no such deal and would not give the assurance that other local councils will get the same treatment.

“David Hodge’s resignation makes the need for full disclosure from the Government more pressing.  What we need from the Tories is a long term sustainable plan for funding social care, rather than cosy deals for Tories councils.”