Sandy Ezekiel is gone but not quite gone.

In a move that was likely as tactical as any the "leader" of the local council has stepped down from his role as leader of the Conservatives in Thanet. Ezekiel quits as leader of Thanet Tories screams youthanet.co.uk while Thanet council leader steps down shouts ThisIsKent.co.uk. Unusually I can find very little blog coverage to report.

Labour leader Cllr Clive Hart was quick to say that Ezekiel has left Thanet in a sorry state according to YourThanet.co.uk.

Ezekiel will remain leader of Thanet District Council until May when it is expected that Bob Bayford who has taken over as leader of the conservatives will replace him.



Labour leader Cllr Clive Hart's words will no doubt be echoed in the coming months as the 11 years of Conservative Leadership from Ezekiel is given a very public dissection. It will be hard for Tory supporters to have a great deal to say about his style of leadership and likewise mitigating Ezekiel's very public acts of aggression will be challenging. However This is unlikely to stop the right's spin doctors from attempting to put a good face on this change at a time when preparation for a difficult election begins at all levels.

The big question - did he jump or was he pushed?

Cllr Clive Hart also had this to say:

He said: “For seven years he did his best, but as each year passed Cllr Ezekiel steadily lost effective control of the council.

“Despite his volatile behaviour being reported in national magazines, he clung desperately to power and Thanet suffered accordingly.

“Who knows what effect his ‘style’ of leadership has had on inward investors?”

So now over to you. What has the impact of Ezekiel's "leadership" (or lack thereof) been on Thanet. Has he done anything that is good and what can be done to undo the bad?