Cornwall Conservatives have called for the resignation of Mike Eathorne-Gibbons and then let the electorate decide if they accept his candidacy as an Independent councillor.
Mr Eathorne-Gibbons was thought to be a stalwart of the Conservative group at County Hall and was tipped to lead the party, before his shock defection from the Conservatives to the Independent group yesterday.
Chairman of Truro & Falmouth Conservative Association Robert O'Shea released the following statement earlier today: "The electorate of Ladock, St Clement and St Erme deserve better than this so do the staff, volunteers and officers who supported his successful campaign for re-election.
"Mike should now do the decent thing and resign his seat and let the same electorate decide if they accept his candidacy for independence.
"Meanwhile I await his simultaneous resignation from the Conservative Party."
Mr Eathorne-Gibbons said he believed the Conservatives at County Hall had "lost its way" and said voters on the doorstep had complained of the party's "shenanigans" which saw several Conservative defections.
Mr Eathorne-Gibbons said his decision was "honourable" but said he understood some people may have felt let down after voting for a Conservative who switched parties ten days after the election.
He said: "I attribute my success to a personal vote not a political one."
Mr Eathorne-Gibbons was elected as a Conservative to represent the Ladock, St Clement and St Erme constituency with 666 votes cast in his favour at the local elections on May 2.
His nearest competitor was Jo Poland from the Green Party who garnered 234 votes.
