Cllr Caulfield

Questions have been raised over the commitment of Conservative Brighton and Hove Councillor Maria Caulfield, who says she lives in Wales.

The Conservative Councillor for Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, who is also in charge of Housing in the City, has issued leaflets in Caerphilly stating that she is living in Wales.  After failing to be selected for a Tory safe seat in Gosport and telling a Guardian reporter that people don't love the Conservatives, Cllr Caulfield was selected as a Tory parliamentary candidate for the Labour heart land of Caerphilly.

The leaflet shows a photograph of Cllr Caulfied with the words "I'm Maria Caulfield and I am standing as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate at this year's General Election. I'm living in Gelligaer..."

Political Correspondent for Media Wales, and a Wales on Sunday columnist, Matt Withers blogged:
"Quite how her current constituents feel about this is unclear. Because while 'living in Gelligaer' and shouting her passion for Caerphilly from the rooftops, she continues to serve as a member of Brighton & Hove Council."

Fellow ward Cllr Anne Meadows questioned her commitment to representing local people in the City adding:
"I became a Councillor to actively represent people in Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, which was where I grew up, got married and my children went to school. As Cllr Caulfield is saying she has moved to Wales, her commitment to Brighton and Hove should be questioned.  

"I encourage more women standing for parliament, but not if it means that the people you are already elected to represent are being let down so badly.  Housing in Brighton and Hove is a massive issue, with repairs being left undone across the City and she is the only councillor paid by the tax payer to be in charge of Housing, so I don't think that living in Wales and being an elected repsentative in Brighton and Hove is a responsible thing to do."