MP Brian Mathew responds to meeting attendance criticism

Cllr Brian Mathew, who became the new Lib Dem MP for Melksham and Devizes in July, has attended 29 per cent of the council meetings he was expected to in the last six months as part of his role as councillor for Box & Colerne.

The Conservative candidate for this area, Brian Burchfield, has called for him to resign but Cllr Mathew has confirmed he has no intention of giving up his position before the local elections in 2025.

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Brian Mathew after his win on July 4. (Image: Trevor Porter) Mr Burchfield said: “I understand that he is now an MP, but he is still drawing a £16,495 annual allowance for being a Wiltshire Councillor and considering I am a taxpayer of Wiltshire Council, I find this practice to draw two salaries and yet only do one job unacceptable, and so do many of the residents I speak with in Colerne.

“I would suggest that if Cllr Matthew does not have the bandwidth or interest in serving the residents of his Unitary ward of Box & Colerne, he resigns his council seat immediately and calls for a by-election so we can choose someone who will be available and look after the best interests of the residents here in Box & Colerne.”

Cllr Mathew responded: “I have been immensely honoured to be the Wiltshire Councillor for Box & Colerne ward for the last seven and a half years and it has been a real privilege to serve the community.

“Since being elected as a Member of Parliament in July this year, I have continued to undertake casework on behalf of residents, as well as represent all those in Box & Colerne.

“Following my election as an MP, I have also held a surgery in the ward alongside Box parish council to continue to provide a local presence and let residents know I am here for them.”

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Cllr Mathew argued that he had been able to “stay across” issues and casework, and that he had been present at both full council meetings since the election, as well as the sole meeting of the area board.

He added that he had sent substitutes when he had been unable to attend committee meetings.

Cllr Mathew concluded: “I will continue to serve the residents of Box & Colerne for the remainder of my Wiltshire Council term, and of course, in my role as their Member of Parliament beyond that.

“And I look forward to seeing Phil Chamberlain elected in my stead as the next Liberal Democrat Councillor for Box & Colerne in May next year.”