THE leader of the Forest Council’s Conservative group has left his Tory colleagues reeling after resigning from the party and blasting the Government’s handling of Brexit and the Covid crisis.

Cllr Brian Robinson, who represents the Forest’s Longhope and Huntley ward, and is also the Gloucestershire county councillor for Mitcheldean, said in a scathing resignation statement: “Since 2018, Conservative Party actions have harmed the welfare and future opportunities of the British people and the Party no longer deserve support from councillors or electors.”

He claimed the Government has made “too many mistakes” and put the future of the UK “under threat”, while its policies have caused “more death and disruption to the economy” than other nations.

Gloucestershire Council leader Mark Hawthorne hit back by saying he suspects Cllr Robinson’s move is connected with the party’s decision last October not to choose him to represent the Mitcheldean seat in May’s local government elections.

But making his bombshell announcement on Monday, Cllr Robinson said: “After 14 years as a Conservative Councillor I have today made the decision to resign from the Conservative Party and will continue my role in Local Government as an Independent Councillor…

“There are many reasons I have come to this conclusion and I will outline some.

“The decision to leave the EU was taken by a majority of electors, but the way in which we have left has been crafted by the Conservative Party.

“The choices the Conservative Government made negotiating Brexit have increased red tape and reduced opportunities for large and small businesses,” he blasted.

“Consumers are faced with loss of choice and more complex travel and work.

“The Conservative Government decisions have put the future of the United Kingdom under threat.”

And Cllr Robinson, chairman of Gloucestershire Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, added: “The Conservative Government management of the Covid 19 pandemic has resulted in considerably more death and disruption to the economy than other countries have experienced, including more than 25,000 people dying in care homes.

“Slow and inadequate decisions allowed the virus to spread. At times it felt like the Government has been weighing up the popularity of action rather than the scientific evidence driving it.

“Unconvincing statements on meals for children and school safety are just two examples of decisions that were reversed within days.”

And the former Tory, who intends to stand as an Independent in May’s local council elections, stormed: “Britain has built up a reputation for values and trust across the world over many years, but this reputation has been damaged by Conservative Government plans to disregard international law, attempt prorogation of parliament, propose cuts to foreign aid and where possible ignore MPs even in their own party.

“Good fiscal management, that has been a hallmark of Conservative Government, has given way to the largest peace time level of government borrowing and national debt.

“Interventions to “Level Up” will no doubt be a “Level Down” as the financial service sector is left high and dry with £1 trillion of assets and 7,500 jobs already lost to the EU.

“Farming and food producers have been left struggling to trade in their key markets. These issues directly affect local businesses in the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire.

“Too many mistakes have been made for me to simply hope it gets better.

“I have given the Government time to demonstrate they are acting in our best interests.”

And signing off as “concerned about people not politics”, he said: “It has failed, so I will therefore be continuing to do my work as an Independent councillor.”

Cllr Alan Preest, who represents Lydney at county and district level, will now lead the Conservative Group on the Forest Council.

“It’s sad to see Brian resign and I’d like to thank him for his efforts as group leader.

“But life must go on and the Conservative Group will continue as a united team to hold the Forest of Dean District Council administration to account on behalf of our local residents.”

Forest Conservative MP Mark Harper added: “I have been long aware of Cllr Robinson’s wish for the country to remain in the EU and his disappointment with the result of the EU referendum.

“However, a clear majority of people across the country and an even larger majority across the Forest of Dean took a different view.”

“I thank him for his public service and wish him well for the future.”