AN EXPERIENCED district councillor has been de-selected from the Malvern Conservative group.
Coun Paul Tuthill, who represents Malvern Link, claims ‘he has been dumped by the Tories’ and will not be standing for re-election in May.
Coun Tuthill said he would have challenged Coun David Hughes, current leader of the district council, had he retained his seat and also described his role at Worcestershire County Council, where he was elected two years ago, as a ‘chauffeur driven Mercedes rather than a high mileage Ford’.
“It was disappointing that I am not able to stand to represent the link again,” said Coun Tuthill, who was first elected in 1995.
“It is also disappointing I am not able to continue discussions in terms of the way Malvern Hills is managed.
“There has been some very good councillors who have already left the Tory party but I stayed within the camp to try and influence it from the inside.”
While keeping his role at County Hall, Coun Tuthill listed the opening of Malvern Community Hospital, the rebuild of the fire station and the way the Southern Area Development Committee had operated as particular highlights.
Harry Turner, president of the West Worcestershire Conservative Association, added: “There was a discussion with Mr Tuthill and we pressed a line he recommended pressing himself.
“It is important he chose his county council seat and he wants to continue that and that was the effect of the discussion.
“I am comfortable with what came out of it and he is as far as I am concerned.”
