THE Mayor of Farnham, John Ward, has announced his shock decision to leave the Conservative party and stand for Farnham Residents in the Shortheath and Boundstone by-election next month.

Mr Ward has served as a Conservative councillor for Shortheath and Boundstone since 2007, but has endured a choppy relationship with the South West Surrey Conservatives Association (SWSCA) in recent times - predominantly over his opposition to the council-backed Brightwells/East Street scheme.

He was one of five Farnham councillors chastised by the association’s chairman Richard Bourne in 2012 for not “toeing the line” on East Street, and was eventually deselected by SWSCA in 2014.

Mr Ward was given a reprieve ahead of last year’s local election, but while he retained his seat on Farnham Town Council - with which he served as leader for several years and has twice been elected mayor - he lost his borough seat to Farnham Residents’ Kika Mirylees.

Following the resignation of David Munro, his old running mate in Shortheath and Boundstone, Mr Ward had hoped to win back his borough seat for the Tories in the August 18 by-election.

But after SWSCA selected ex-Waverley executive member Donal O’Neill to contest the by-election ahead of Mr Ward, the mayor told The Herald the association has given him “no choice” but to sever his ties with the Conservatives and accept an offer to represent Farnham Residents.

It represents a landmark moment in Farnham Residents’ short history, being the first time an existing councillor has ‘crossed the floor’ to join the town and borough councils’ official opposition party.

Mr Ward, 72, said: “It’s no secret that I’ve had long-running difficulties with the local Conservative party and when I was not chosen as their candidate for Shortheath and Boundstone it was the final straw.

“I had to decide do I just take a back seat or do I try to continue representing Shortheath and Boundstone? I considered going independent, but when I got an offer from the Farnham Residents to stand as their candidate, with whom I’ve had some sympathy for their outlook and policies for some time, I decided to accept.”

The Farnham Residents party was formed ahead of last year’s local election primarily to combat Waverley’s long-delayed Brightwells redevelopment scheme, and won four seats on the town council and three on the borough.

During the past year its councillors have also challenged the effectiveness of Waverley’s strategy for safeguarding the protected heathland around Farnham, as well as the perceived over-reliance of the borough’s Local Plan and Farnham’s Neighbourhood Plan on Brightwells’ “un-modelled” adjustments to Farnham’s road network.

However, while sharing many of his new party’s views particularly on Brightwells, Mr Ward added his main motivation for accepting its offer is the opportunity to continue to represent the people of Shortheath and Boundstone and scrutinise affairs at Waverley.

He said: “My view on Brightwells has always been the same, that I want that area regenerated but after 14 years we ought to just re-look at the plans. But Brightwells was not the total driving force behind my decision and, although of course it’s a factor, the real reason I’m standing is because I think I could do a good job representing Shortheath and Boundstone, my current ward.

“My political philosophy has not changed and if there was an election tomorrow I would still vote for the Conservatives. It’s not me that’s left the Conservatives, it’s the Conservatives that have shoved me out.

“I am really sad to be honest, but so much has happened that I think is basically wrong, unfair and quite distressing for me and my family, and the last kick in the teeth was just one too many. I’ve put a lot of effort into being a councillor and I do feel very let down.”

Tom Martin, deputy chairman of SWSCA, said: “The Conservative party supported John Ward as a candidate in 2015, and his town council Conservative colleagues supported his election as mayor from the majority party as recently as May 2016.

“In choosing a candidate for the forthcoming Shortheath and Boundstone by-election a hustings was held in accordance with Conservative party rules and Donal O’Neill was democratically selected.

“Planning is not an SWSCA matter. It is a quasi-judicial process that follows strict planning laws. Councillors are not whipped on planning, and this has been clearly demonstrated in the last two major votes at Waverley on the Brightwells Farnham regeneration and the Draft Local Plan.

“John Ward did not raise any concerns about this or any other issue prior to his resignation received on Friday, July 22.”

Mr Ward delivered his shock announcement during the final meeting of the town council before next month’s by-elections, and just days before the candidates for all four vacant seats in Farnham were confirmed on Monday afternoon - details of which can be viewed online at www.waverley.gov.uk/elec

tions.

Polling stations in Farnham Castle and Farnham Shortheath and Boundstone wards will open be from 7am until 10pm on Thursday, August 18 and new applications to register to vote must be made by Tuesday, August 2.

For more information, including deadlines to register for postal or proxy votes, visit the website www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or call Waverley’s elections team on 01483 523116.