Published: April 22, 2008
Shock as Highbridge Lib Dem councillor defects to Conservatives

Highbridge district councillor Danny Titcombe dramatically quit as leader of Sedgemoor's Liberal Democrats on Tuesday (April 22nd) in order to join the Conservative Party.

Cllr Titcombe, who represents the Highbridge Ward, has crossed the floor to join Sedgemoor's controlling Conservative group.

Burnham's Conservative MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, welcomed the news on Tuesday afternoon (April 22nd), saying: "I am delighted that Danny Titcombe has joined the Conservative Group and I look forward to working with him on a wide range of policy matters and for the good of the people of Highbridge."

Cllr Titcombe, who lives on Highbridge's Poplar Estate, claims to have been unhappy with his old party for some time, both locally and nationally.

Speaking on his decision to join the Conservatives, he said: "I am very happy to have joined the Conservative group on the District Council and look forward to being able to do for Highbridge what I was elected to do."

"I can also send out an assurance to the residents of the ward of Highbridge that although my political allegiance may have changed, my commitment to the people of Highbridge has not. I will continue on in the same manner in which I have done for the last year and strive to build on successes already achieved."

Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Tessa Munt told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Tuesday afternoon she was "very disappointed" by the defection.

"It is a blow," she said. "But that's life - councillors do sometimes move back and forth between parties. I thank Danny for all his work over the last year."

Burnham-On-Sea.com understands that Cllr Joe Leach is now set to become leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Sedgemoor District Council.

Cllr Leach wished Cllr Titcombe well: "I am disappointed by his decision, but wish him the best of luck and hope that we can continue to work together on serving the people of Highbridge and Sedgemoor."

Cllr Neville Jones, a veteran Conservative councillor - and past Burnham mayor for four terms - welcomed the news: "I knew that Danny had been concerned about the Lib Dem stance on so many local issues."

"They have always tried to take a negative stance instead of welcoming moves to meet present day challenges, like the swimming pool, and their lateness in grasping the problem with the Walrow Railway Bridge."

"The Town Council welcomed Danny Titcombe's attitude and indeed only last year the Group nominated him to be the vice-chairman of the council's influential Policy committee. I think he will be able to do his job much better for the people of Highbridge within the Conservative Group. He will find a great welcome."

The defection increases the number of Conservatives on the district council to 36
out of 50 and leaves the Liberal Democrats with three.

Cllr Titcombe also joins the Conservative Group on Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, taking the Conservatives up to 13 members, with the Liberal Democrats on 4 and Labour on one.

Our photos show (top) Cllr Danny Titcombe being welcomed by Burnham and Highbridge Conservatives Cllr Peter Clayton, Cllr Neville Jones and Cllr Eric Gill; (bottom) Cllr Titcombe at Queen Square in Highbridge, which he helped to save from development last year