A FORMER Conservative councillor who announced he had jumped ship to Reform UK while its leader Nigel Farage was in Cornwall last month has blamed a former Tory colleague and “low” politics for forcing his defection.

Kevin Towill, who is recovering from a brain tumour, says Cornwall Council cabinet member for housing Olly Monk promised not to stand against him for Cllr Towill’s Newquay Porth and Tretherras seat when he was ill in hospital and they were both Conservatives.

However, Cllr Monk, who currently represents Newquay Trenance, is doing exactly that, which is why Cllr Towill has defected to Reform.

The only current Cornwall Council member for Reform told us: “I was put on the Conservatives’ approved list in November and I was on it until my resignation from the party.

Although the selection of seats did not take place until February it was obvious that Olly had done the groundwork while I was in hospital, despite promising me he was only going to stand in Newquay Porth and Tretherras if I was standing down.

“However, politics is politics and my expectations with some people are very low. Reform are aware of what happened and have only shown me support and encouragement in working for the division it’s been my honour to represent over the past eight years.”

Cllr Monk was approached for a response to his former party colleague’s claims.

He told us: “I applied to stand for Porth and Tretherras as I found out there was more than one Conservative candidate standing for this seat.

“I didn’t want to miss out on the chance to stand in the division I have lived in for over 16 years.

“I have represented Porth and Tretherras since 2013 as a town councillor and achieved lots for this area including delivering the Concrete Waves skatepark.

“I was selected by my local Conservative Association in February and am honoured to be standing in the area I live.

“I thank the residents of Trenance for electing me as their Cornwall councillor and will still be available to help them with any issues they may have. Whatever the results I will always be happy to assist any residents of Newquay.”

Cllr Towill responded in turn: “That’s all very well, but the point is Olly promised not to stand against me when I was ill in hospital, while all the time working on his selection for Porth and Tretherras within the party.

“As I said, there are some low dealings in politics sometimes, so I can’t complain.”

During the controversial Reform conference at Carn Brea on February 24, Cllr Towill told us he was tired of the political division between the main parties in Cornwall and wanted to represent a party “that stands for community and for the people”.

Cornwall Council, Truro City, town and parish council elections take place on May 1.