MAVERICK Redditch Councillor David Bush has failed in his appeal against his de-listing from his West Ward seat in the forthcoming local election.
Coun Bush, the deputy leader of Redditch Borough Council and the man in charge of the regeneration of the town centre, was deslisted by Redditch Conservatives last month.
The self-made businessman immediately vowed to fight the decision and also appealed against the appeals process itself.
However these were turned down and it means he will not be fighting the elections in May this year.
Council Leader Coun Matt Dormer said: He will be a loss. He added great value as a leader and will be missed.”
Coun Bush has long been a campaigner for better services to and from Redditch railway station and hit the headlines three years ago when he broke the Tory whip and voted with Labour to join the West Midlands Combined Authority, now seen as a key partner in the development of the town.
A spokesperson for the local Conservative Association, said: “Although we will not comment on individual cases we want to make it clear that the Conservative Party has robust and fair procedures for challenging behaviour of concern in accordance with our code of conduct. We expect the highest standards from anyone wishing to stand at local elections under the Conservative Party name.”
