A town councillor claims the people of Dover have been “gagged” over the future of the council.

Lesley Ann Burke is calling for the town council to be abolished completely amidst a political row sparked from the council’s objection to the Harbour Revision Order.

This objection, based on the idea that the community directors would be disempowered by Dover Harbour Board, has delayed Neil Wiggins and Samantha Parker from being officially appointed as the voice of the people.

Conservative Cllr Burke said: “They are now refusing to put it on the agenda. I have been gagged but not only that the people of Dover have been gagged or muzzled.

“They said they didn’t think it was in the best interests at this time. It’s obvious that they don’t care, they just want to mess the HRO up.”

She claims that the independent mayor of Dover, Cllr Chris Precious, has been bullied by Labour party councillors into the objection.

“It’s very important that we get this revised Harbour Revision Order through and that the town council remove their objection.

“We need a starting point and getting community people on that board. It’s not fair for the people of Dover.” She said.

The Mercury reported last week that the MP for Dover, Charlie Elphicke, said the objection could mean a withdrawal of the order itself, or an inquiry by the Marine Management Organisation.

He said: “It seems very odd that the town council say they believe in everyone having a say on the future of the port, but not the future of the town council. It does look like they are still playing political games and I am deeply saddened by that.”

Cllr Burke claims that the people of Dover would not be affected by losing the town council but it would save taxpayers money each year.

Allison Burton, town council clerk, explained that the agenda for the meeting on Thursday, March 3, had already been published to more than 50 organisations and could not be changed.

She said if Cllr Burke wishes for a town meeting to discuss the matter she has to give 14 days notice and this will then be put on the agenda.

Mayor of Dover, Cllr Chris Precious said: “On the patronising claims of “bullying” that I have heard being spread from certain quarters, as far as I know the Labour group have not decided on a collective stance which would make such a claim impossible.

“As an Independent, and I do appreciate that the term appears to be alien to some party members, my concern is for the town as a whole and the council as a whole, while I try to avoid party politics. For a town council I feel the only politics that have importance is what is best for the town.

“It is also my view that the town council has a duty to give a voice to the people of this great town and, for that reason, as an important decision affecting the towns future needs to be made I have called a town meeting to allow the electorate of Dover to make the decision.

'I have called a town meeting to allow the electorate of Dover to make the decision.' - Mayor of Dover, Chris Precious

“I find it strange that some politicians, elected to represent the town, are now going to such lengths to take that voice away from the people of the town. Should I wish to be cynical about it I could suggest that these tactics are more suggestive of “bullying” than anything else I have heard.”