• CONSERVATIVES in Camden appear to have abandoned their former policy of maintaining a Trappist silence on the question of Brexit.

Frognal councillor Henry Newman is almost a daily fixture on the television as a talking head advocating for the prime minister’s deal.

Hampstead councillor Oliver Cooper, who proudly posed for a selfie with his EU referendum ballot for leave, has similarly been hacking for Theresa May’s deal, although with zero media prominence (no doubt much to his chagrin and Tory Party Central Office’s relief).

On the opposing side, councillor Gio Spinella last year bravely defied the whip to abstain and voted in favour of a “people’s vote” in full council.

And, of course, former councillors Andrew Marshall and Claire-Louise Leyland were prominent supporters of remain.

This leads me to ask: while there is no doubt Camden Council has no say over the Brexit negotiations, surely it is right that councillors are seen as community figures and representatives who can speak about issues wider than the narrow remit of a local authority?

So what is the Camden Conservative position? Does it back the official party policy of leaving with May’s deal?

Or, following previous precedent on issues such as HS2, has it departed from the central party line to supporting a softer or no Brexit?

At the very least, the thousands in Camden who have signed the petition calling for Article 50 to be revoked would like to know.

HAMISH HUNTER
Nassington Road, NW3