Conservative councillors resign to sit as independents ahead of launch of new political party

Councillors John Price, who represents Oswestry East, and Steve Davenport, who represents St Martin's, will both now sit as independents on Shropshire Council.

The move comes as both councillors intend to stand for 'Shropshire First' - a new political party being set up ahead of next year's Shropshire Council elections.

The group has not yet officially launched, and is expected to do so in the New Year.

Shropshire First's own social media pages and website promise a "different way of doing things" and to put "the needs of our community first".

A YouTube video set up to launch the party said: "Shropshire First is a new kind of political movement dedicated solely to the needs of our county, free from the constraints of national party agendas.

Councillors Davenport and Price were both suspended from the Conservative group on Shropshire Council last week after they were confirmed as officers in the newly-created Shropshire First community interest company.

Councillor Price, who has been a bus driver in Oswestry for 35 years, said he had taken the decision resign from the Conservatives because he believes the new party will allow him to represent the concerns of residents more effectively.

He said: "For me this is not about politics anymore this is about me genuinely wanting to do what is right for people."

He spoke of his frustrations at seeing pensioners being stripped of access to the winter fuel allowance, and his own dissatisfaction with current party politics.

He said: "I think the problem is whatever party you are in it sort of inhibits you in many ways.

"I am not jumping ship, I am just doing my own thing."

He added: "This is not so much about politics, this is about I want to do more for people."

Councillor Price said he was concerned with real people, meeting them and tackling their problems, and less about the 'keyboard warriors'.

Councillor Davenport, who previously held the post of cabinet member in charge of highways, said his decision was all about getting away from the constraints of the mainstream political parties.

He said: "I don't want to take decisions that are political, I want take decisions that are independent - I want to take the politics out of decision making.

"Look at what people are saying about in the assisted dying debate in Westminster - it was an open decision and it was refreshing to see conversations that were going on that were heartfelt where people could speak freely."

He added: "Years and years ago all county councils were independent and that is where the best decisions were made."

Councillor Davenport said the decision means he now feels free to support the right ideas.

He said: "I didn't agree with a lot of decisions that had been made over the last few years so why did I want to put myself in that position?"

He added: "I will support anyone that comes up with the right ideas."

The decision to leave the Conservative group has had serious consequences for the council's administration, which no longer has a working majority on the authority.

The situation means the administration now has 37 councillors out of 74.

It is a development that opens up the potential - albeit remote - for votes on any proposals to be tied, if all 37 other councillors voted against them.

Technically the group retains control of the council because tied votes then go to the casting vote of the chairman - who is currently the Conservative Councillor Vince Hunt - and would be expected to vote with his party.

Any tied vote would also rely on all other councillors - Lib Dem, Labour, Green, and Independent, voting against the administration - a situation which is far from a certainty.