FORMER mayors have accused the new Conservative-run Abingdon Town Council of violating a long-standing tradition over the honour.

Tory Mike Badcock was elected mayor on Monday night after his party used their one-seat majority to vote him into office.

But critics say the title should have gone to Liberal Democrat Samantha Bowring, the longest serving councillor who has yet to serve as mayor.

They say this unwritten rule has stood since the council was formed in 1974.

In a letter presented to the council, 17 past mayors of the town asked councillors to observe the tradition.

They said: “The proposal to change this long-standing convention and make the Mayoralty a gift of the ruling political party of the day is very regrettable.”

Mr Badcock last served as mayor of Abingdon 21 years ago.

Conservative Colin Kemp, who was mayor in 1994-95, said: “The long-established convention was just torn up and they voted for their own people.”

The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, Angela Lawrence, said: “This is dishonouring Abingdon and dishonouring the tradition.”

She added: “My own feeling was I have never felt so ashamed to be part of the town council. I just cringe to think what the public must have thought of all this.”

The Conservatives hold 11 of the council’s 21 seats after the elections on May 5. The party owes its majority to a victory by just one vote in the Fitzharris ward.

Ms Bowring said: “I’m sorry that the mayor is now a more political role, as people like having it as a ceremonial role.”

But Mr Badcock said: “With a majority of 11 to 10, politically, we would have been very foolish to not have the deciding vote. If they were in the same position, I’m certain they would do the same thing “What I would say is grow up and shut up and expect the reality of political life.”

l Former mayor Duncan Brown raised more than £10,000 for his two charities, Abingdon Bridge Project and the Fire Fighters Charity, during his year in office.