A WELL-known political figure has quit the Conservatives after it decided to abolish the county's middle schools.

A WELL-known political figure has quit the Conservatives after it decided to abolish the county's middle schools.

Paul Hopfensperger was elected as Tory member of Suffolk County Council for the Tower ward in Bury St Edmunds in 2005.

But yesterday he quit the group claiming he was no longer able to hold his head up high as a Tory.

Mr Hopfensperger, who is widely known as “Hoffy”, pledged to carry on as an Independent. He said he was no longer able to tow the party line over its policies on Suffolk's middle schools.

His decision has “saddened” Conservative leaders in the county.

Last year the Tory-led county council decided to abolish middle schools and Mr Hopfensperger claimed the party had allowed Bury St Edmunds Town Council to become a “laughing stock” during the past year.

In his resignation letter, Mr Hopfensperger also criticised his former party for, he claimed, not putting enough candidates forward to prevent the Abolish Bury Town Council (ABC) group taking control of the town council.

He said: “I stood for election to represent the people of Bury. My motto has been 'action not politics' but I believe the Bury St Edmunds Conservative Association has constantly led by 'Conservative first, everything else second'.

“This is not my idea of representing the people who elected me, and I can no longer hold my head up as I walk down the street and support these principles.

“The Bury Conservative Association, by not fielding enough candidates at the last election, and letting the ABC party take control of the town council, has made Bury a laughing stock, not just here, but throughout the world.

“I am not prepared to sit here and put my name to it any longer.

“I will remain in office for the remainder of my term as an Independent member of Suffolk County Council, and will do my best to represent the people of Bury St Edmunds as an independent councillor.”

Jeremy Pembroke, county council leader, said he was sad Mr Hopfensperger felt he had to leave the party, but acknowledged his relationship with the party had been “turbulent”.

He said: “I am sad this has happened because in meetings and in council he always spoke as a Conservative. He has made this choice perhaps because life was getting uncomfortable for him and he thought he would be happier as an Independent.”

Richard Rout, a Conservative member of Bury Town Council, defended the council and the Tory group: “I would like to see more people elected who want the best for Bury and hopefully we will be putting up more candidates.”