At the last meeting of Conservative-run Thurrock Council the following motion was passed:
"That the Council resolves to convene a Special Meeting under section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 to consider a motion to confer the Freedom of the Borough on the Thurrock Branch of the Burma Star Association."
So far so good. But most of the Conservative councillors vote against. The Tory Council leader Cllr Terry Hipsey emailed to say: "Unless those who critise had turned up to the full council meeting they would not be aware there is another side of the story to this saga." No doubt, but it would be helpful to know what it is. Seems rather unfortunate that if there was some technical difficulty that an amendment couldn’t have been agreed. Honouring Burma veterans is the sort of issue where there really should be an agreed wording carried unanimously.