June 3223
Two weeks ago Frank Cousin MP declared his intention to stand down as party Chair of the Forward Hutori party, after 6 years in the role. Reports suggest that Mr Cousin decided to stand down in order to focus on his cabinet position as secretary of state for Food and Agriculture.
In a statement, Mr Cousin signalled his regret at leaving the post:
It has been an honour to serve as Chairman of this party for the last 6 years, helping to shape party policy and meeting with a variety of brilliant people who serve our movement. I wish my successor well and hope they will continue to work towards our plan for a better and more pluralistic politics
Some have suggested that Mr Cousin, seen as the most prominent right winger in the party, has grown disillusioned with the party's current leadership due to a lurch to the left following the formation of the rainbow coalition between the FHP, SP and HLP. One disgruntled backbencher has been quoted as saying "The right of this party is being pissed on and I've about had enough of toeing the left wing party line".
A spokesman for Mr Cousin said in response to the suggestions that this was nonsense- "I'd take what you read in the papers with a pinch of salt. Frank has a fantastic relationship with John Klugg, and they remain in constant contact as cabinet colleagues and friends."
It has been suggested by an inside source that Cousin wants to distance himself from the party leadership in order to prepare for a potential leadership challenge should the results be poor at the next general election. Cousin has in the past vocally opposed tax increases proposed by the Chancellor and was seen as fundamental in Klugg's decision to initially oppose a recent budget before an unexpected u-turn.