While Hitchin's MP Bim Afolami has broken his silence - of sorts - on the ongoing Partygate saga after the initial findings from Sue Gray's inquiry into 'bring your own booze' to government events at No10 were finally published - the response smacks of further dithering.

Despite definitive opinions issued from many MPs up and down the land on the issue of Boris Johnson's future Mr Afolami has insisted he wants to wait until the Police enquiry has been completed before he issues a definitive statement - either giving his support to the beleaguered PM, or withdrawing it.

But for many voters in our constituency, such prevarication is not only frustrating but smacks of poor leadership.

Read Lib Dem Hitchin councillor - and the official Liberal Democrat's PPC in 2024 - Sam Collins as he shares his take on Mr Afolami's stance.[.B]

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The Conservative MP for our area cannot hide behind lame excuses any longer.

We all know whilst people in Hitchin and Harpenden made terrible sacrifices during lockdowns, Boris Johnson and his team were partying in Downing Street.

We all have painful memories of that lockdown, from not being able to see dying relatives, to being separated for months on end from our friends and family.

It is time for Bim Afolami to sack Boris Johnson. No more ifs or buts.

It is an insult to everyone in our area to see the local Conservative MP refusing to sack a Conservative Prime Minister who broke the law and lied about it.

At the next election, Hitchin and Harpenden will be a close two horse race between an out of touch Conservative party and a hard working local Liberal Democrat team.

Sam Collins is a Hitchin councillor and official Liberal Democrat PPC for Hitchin at the next General Election in 2024