THE deputy leader of Swindon Council’s ruling Tory group has said she will step down at the next election.

Coun Fionuala Foley will not seek re-election as deputy leader or cabinet member but will remain a councillor for Old Town and Lawns and a member of the Conservative group.

The news comes just a day after former mayor Coun Steve Wakefield announced he was quitting the Tories.

Coun Foley, who became a councillor in 2000, said she is stepping down to concentrate on her business and spend more time with her family.

But opposition politicians have claimed plans were already afoot to replace her as deputy leader while fellow cabinet members Phil Young and David Renard have already been touted as possible replacements.

Coun Foley said: “I am taking a sabbatical to concentrate on business but I am certainly not saying this is the end of my political career.

“I was working four days a week at the council and maybe I was taking on too much. Now is the time to reprioritise.

“I will continue to represent Old Town and Lawn and I would not rule out a return to cabinet in the future, if that’s what the group wanted.”

Coun Foley said she fully supported Rod Bluh’s administration and believed the group was moving in the right direction.

She said: “I have been deputy leader for three and a half years and I am very proud of what we have achieved in that time. My successor, whoever he or she is, will have my full support in taking the council even further forward.”

Opposition politicians said the announcement was evidence of unrest within the Tory group, whose leader Rod Bluh is up for re-election in May.

Lib Dem leader Stan Pajak said: “I had heard rumours that Rod Bluh was seeking to replace her with one of his younger cabinet members so perhaps she jumped before she was pushed.

“It’s a shame because Fionuala has always personified the Conservative Party.

“Whenever you said something against them she would take it very personally.

“Phil Young would be a likely replacement. He has been involved in a lot of Rod Bluh’s big schemes such as the Radio One weekend and the canal.”

Labour leader Derique Montaut said: “There’s clearly tensions in the Conservative group and they need to sort them out for the good of the town.

“It’s an indication of the problems they have that two councillors have stepped down in as many days.”

Coun Steve Wakefield, who resigned from the Tory group on Monday, said: “It’s sad as she has been a very good deputy leader and I wish her well.”

The Toothill and Westlea councillor said Coun David Renard was the most likely candidate to take Coun Foley’s position when she steps down in May.

He said: “David has a lot of respect within the group and would be well supported.”