Poignant words as heartbroken ex-Tory leader steps away from council

HEARTBROKEN former opposition leader Emily Barley told the council chamber how her faith in humanity had been destroyed by the death of her baby.

Grieving Cllr Barley resigned from the Tory group’s main role in December after daughter Beatrice died during labour last May.

She gave a resignation speech at Rotherham Town Hall last Wednesday, saying: “The last time I was here at a full council meeting I was just about to start my maternity leave.

“I was so, so excited to meet my baby. I looked forward to coming back here, babe in arms, and continuing on as leader, but I can’t do that now.

“Beatrice Trudy Barley was born at 9.38pm on May 20, 2022.

“She was 22ins long, mostly made up of these ridiculously long legs and she was incredible.

“This is a thing that people don’t often talk about when your baby dies... People send their condolences and say how sorry they are for your loss. Sometimes I just want to scream: she was beautiful!

“She’s the best thing I’ve ever done...the thing in my life that I’m most proud of: my greatest ever achievement. That’s what I want people to know.

“When your baby dies there are all kinds of platitudes attached: born sleeping, or she was too perfect for this world.

“But that’s not what happened. She should be here with us now, eight months old and thriving.

“Beatrice was killed by the negligence of midwives and obstetricians at Barnsley Hospital.

“They dismissed me when I raised the alarm and asked for their help.

“I am destroyed. My mental health, my sense of purpose and my very faith in humanity have all been destroyed.

“Every year, hundreds of babies die like Beatrice died and it has to stop.

“That’s why I’ve resigned. not just to grieve and try to piece together a life without Beatrice but to give me time to campaign and stop this happening to other families.”

Cllr Barley said she was proud of the way the Conservative group “shook things up” after their record election haul of 20 seats in 2021.

She cited defending Remembrance Day parades, calling attention to the state of cemeteries and “sounding the alarm” on child sexual exploitation as being among her highlights.

Barnsley Hospital apologised in December for the death of Beatrice and said investigation findings were being implemented.