CONSERVATIVE councillors in Christchurch are being urged to stand as independents on the new unitary authority to avoid being placed “under the control of the Bournemouth whip”.

Cllr Colin Bungey, himself an independent, said that it was “very apparent” that the national party had “a total disregard for the residents of Christchurch” and that the best way to protect the borough’s interests would be from outside of the Conservative group.

It follows the annulment of a censure against nine council members who had supported local government reorganisation.

He criticised the decision to uphold the councillors’ appeal against the reprimand, accusing them of “destroying” Christchurch.

“This not only shows a total disregard for their local councillors who were working with residents to save our heritage,” he said. “But also for the large majority of Conservative voters that live and work in Christchurch that voted against the merger have been deliberately ignored.

“The question people must now consider is do they vote next year in the elections for a party that has lied in Parliament on several occasions and to our Conservative MP, to the Conservative-led Christchurch council and to the residents of this borough or vote independent.”

A panel led by the Conservative Paty’s Dorset area chairman, Chris Loder,  met at the end of August and agreed to overturn the censure criticicising the lack of evidence to justify the move provided by council leader David Flagg.

When it comes into force in April, the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council will have 10 Christchurch councillors with 66 members representing Bournemouth and Poole.

Cllr Bungey added: “If Conservatives are elected they will be placed under the control of the Bournemouth whip and will have no chance to argue against any proposals that might have a detrimental impact on the people of Christchurch and they certainly will not be able to openly oppose the controlling Conservative group.

“The bullying tactics adopted by the hierarchy on both Bournemouth and Poole councils is evidence of what to expect in the future.”

Last month, Poole councillor Peter Pawlowski, who had opposed the councils’ merger, left the borough’s Conservative group saying that opponents of its leadership team were treated with “disdain verging on contempt”.

However, the accusation was rebuffed by the leader of the new council’s shadow authority, Cllr Janet Walton, who said that local government reorganisation opponents’ views were listened to.