Tory party activists continued their purge of sitting councillors last night, bringing to four the number axed ahead of next year’s elections to Fenland District Council.

Three of those removed were cabinet members whilst a fourth was the influential chairman of the planning committee, ousted during an executive association meeting last night.

Councillor Alex Miscandlon had hinted to colleagues in recent weeks ago that he felt he was on a ‘hit list’ for removal and so it came to pass. Ironically one of the successful candidates for the Whittlesey villages ward to replace him is former county council leader Martin Curtis.

Mr Curtis, who reduced his local government work load to membership of Whittlesey town council, is now hoping to win back a seat in May next year onto the district council.

The added irony is that Mr Curtis is a former vice chairman and former chairman of the district council planning committee.

Cllr Miscandlon can add his name to an illustrious line-up of senior councillors who have been re-selected.

Councillors Michelle Tanfield and Will Sutton were the first – and were subsequently relieved of their cabinet posts by new leader Chris Seaton.

However Cllr Seaton retained the services of his portfolio for health and well being, Councillor Mike Cornwell, even though he has recently joined the ranks of former candidates.

With Cllr Seaton only winning the leadership election by four votes, it is expected he will face a new challenge after the 2019 poll by the man he beat – Councillor Chris Boden.