THE chairman of Stroud District Council has launched a stinging attack on the authority's "undemocratic" cabinet-style system as he announced his resignation from the Conservative Party.

Cam East ward member Cllr John Hudson, 46, made the claims as he quit the Stroud Conservative group and the Conservative Party at the weekend.

Cllr Hudson’s resignation brought the Conservative group’s number of councillors down to 21, after losses in the local elections last week, which means the Tories cannot rule Ebley Mill alone and could lead to a coalition being formed.

He said: "My personal opinion is that to bring democracy back to the council and to allow all 51 councillors a say, it will be a council-run administration where everyone has a chance to engage in the debates.

"We have vast areas of experience and talent on that council. Over the last few years unless you are a Conservative that talent has been wasted."

Cllr Hudson, who has been a district councillor for 10 years and chairman since 2007 will now sit as an independent.

He said he no longer believed the cabinet system used at the council was fair.

He said: "Very few items come to full council these days to make a decision and I feel that is not democratic."

A cabinet is usually formed by the majority party with each member taking responsibility for a different area, such as finance and housing. The cabinet, along with the leader, is usually responsible for policy and strategies.

The father-of-three, who works within the NHS, said the low turnout at this year’s local election proved people were not happy with the council or the government, which he accused of being out of touch.

He criticised the changes being made to the NHS with the Health and Social Care Bill and said families were facing tough financial decisions with little support.

He said: "I’m a family man with three very young children just trying to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table. To be brutally honest, and it sounds a bit socialist and I’m no socialist, the people who run the government have no idea how the ordinary working man is coping."

He added: "I’ve found it more and more difficult as an individual to rest my conscience and wholeheartedly support Conservative Party policy on a national or local level."

Cllr Hudson said he will remain a district councillor for another two years, when he will be due for re-election, but said he has no plans to stand again.

The position of chairman at Stroud District Council will be voted on at the council’s AGM next Thursday, May 17.

Cllr Frances Roden, leader of the Conservative group, said she was disappointed Cllr Hudson had resigned. Stroud District Council declined to comment on the points raised by Cllr Hudson.