The original issue....

Challenge to the eligibility of a Conservative candidate.

The Lib Dems have formally challenged the eligibility of Bill Trite to stand for the Town Council. As a resident of Purbeck, he has every right to represent the district regardless of where he lives in the region. But in his application to represent the people of Swanage on the Town Council he gives his eligibility as having Swanage as his "principal or only place of work" and lists Swanage Railway, of which he is Chairman, as his work. Most people are aware that he is leader of Purbeck District Council, which will surely take much of his time at the council's offices in Wareham. Given that a full time manager is in place to take the hands on role at the Swanage Railway,the Chairman and vice-Chairman take a more strategic role, doing much of their work away from the town, apart from the monthly meeting. We have also been informed that "work" for the purpose of candidacy to be a councillor does not have to be paid. Furthermore, a recent court case determined that "working for the council" counted as "work" for the purposes of eligibility to represent the community. It would therefore seem that Mr Trite's "principal place of work" is at PDC. If so, he is therefore ineligible to stand.