A LONG-serving district councillor is set to defect from the Green Party to stand as an Independent ahead of this year’s elections.
Coun Clive Smith, Malvern Hills District councillor for Malvern Link, has decided to make the change ahead of May’s event after previously stating his intentions to retire from his post after 36 years at the helm.
The 64-year-old, who also defected from the Liberal Democrats to the Greens two years ago, highlighted his desire to bring a cable car to the town as being the reasoning behind his switch.
Coun Smith, who has lived in the town for 45 years, said: “I was so disillusioned at the antics of the current Tory administration over the last four years riding roughshod over fellow members and the electorate that after serving the residents of the Link Ward for 36 years it was my intention to stand down from MHDC in May.
“However, since my intentions became known I have been inundated from all sides of the chamber and from members of the public to continue.
“I found this truly humbling and have agreed to stand as an Independent. My reason for doing so is to stand on my past record and enable me to promote the cable car proposal.
“Quite naturally the Green Party was uncomfortable with this and I respect that view.
“However, on every aspect of their policies I am in 100 per cent agreement and will be voting Green at the general election and I would urge other electors to do the same.”
Coun Smith also represents the Link for Malvern Town Council and said he intended to keep serving in that role, if he was re-elected in May.
