Mayor pressed to join Tory group

Mayor Nick Bye is a member of the Conservative party

Torbay Mayor Nick Bye is facing calls to become a member of the Devon council's Conservative group.

Mr Bye, 47, was elected as mayor in 2005 on a Conservative ticket, but sits as an independent on Torbay Council.

The Lib Dems, the council's biggest group after the Conservatives, said it was confusing for Torbay people.

Mr Bye said he wore his political colours "lightly" and did not to get sucked into group politics as he wanted to do what was best for all of Torbay.

I am accountable to all the people of Torbay, not to be signed up as member of a group Nick Bye

Steve Darling, leader of the Lib Dems, said: "Nick goes to Conservative conferences, he campaigned for London Mayor Boris Johnson.

"Yet when people write to complain to the Conservative Party about issues, they get a letter saying: 'Sorry, he's nothing to do with us'.

"It's confusing and I think Nick needs to make his mind up."

Mr Bye, who is a member of the Conservative party, said: "All groups - whether they are Lib Dems, Conservative or whatever - have their rules and you have to tow the party line.

"That would defeat the whole point of having a mayor.

"I am accountable to all the people of Torbay, not to be signed up as member of a group."

He said that "tribal politics in Torquay" had harmed the area.

He said: "We desperately need regeneration and support for tourism and elderly people.

"That's what I am about and that's what I am delivering."