Wolverhampton South West Conservatives in even more turmoil

1.00.49pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Oct 2005

The Express and Star newspaper is reporting that the Wolverhampton South West Conservatives are in even more turmoil. At the General Election they lost votes (only I increased my share of the vote, both Conservative and Labour's share of the vote fell), shortly after the Chair resigned and now, according to the Express and Star, two of the most senior Conservatives face a controversial sacking and the shop to will be closed.

Last night's Express and Star's front page claims Dr Jonathan Scott and Councillor Jonathan Yardley are both facing the axe from their positions as chairman and deputy chairman of the Wolverhampton South West Conservative Association. And group leader Councillor Paddy Bradley is set to close the association's Compton Road headquarters in a move that has some members privately fuming.

The paper goes on to suggest the party is wracked by a split between an old guard of experienced councillors and a new breed of younger members who are keen to see it take steps forward. They cite as evidence of the need for new blood the fact the Conservatives lost eight seats to Labour at the last local elections.

Such a shame...