'We haven't jumped ship ahead of council elections'

Steve Davenport became a district councillor in 2006

A councillor who has defected from the Conservatives on Shropshire Council has denied leaving the party because he fears it may struggle at May's local elections.

St Martin's councillor Steve Davenport left the party last week to set up a new political organisation, called Shropshire First, along with an Oswestry representative, John Price, who resigned on Monday.

Their departures have stripped the ruling Conservative group of its majority on the council.

The party, which has been reduced to 37 out of 74 councillors, has declined to comment.

Davenport and Price will sit as independent councillors.

"The group was set up because we want to put people before politics," said Davenport.

"We will be putting out an agenda [ahead of local elections in May], so everybody will know what we're about."

Asked if he was abandoning the Conservatives ahead of the election, when all 74 seats on the council will be up for election, he said: "No, this is something I've been thinking about for a long time.

"I'm in a fairly good seat, I work hard in my ward, I feel I would be OK, so this isn't personal, this is about how we can do better for the county."

Verity Dean moved to Shropshire three years ago

Six people have already said they will stand for election for Shropshire First on 1 May, according to the organisation.

One of them is north Shropshire resident Verity Dean.

"When I was asked if I was interested in standing as a county councillor, I thought you had to belong to a political affiliation, and you don't.

"Watching the Liberal Democrats squabble with the Conservatives whilst Labour sit there rubbing their hands together, it's like a playground and it brings out the worst in the council chamber, not the best," she added.

The group is planning an official launch early in 2025, when it will set out its agenda ahead of local elections.

Reliable bin collections, accessible healthcare, well-maintained roads and safer street lighting are some of its priorities.