Our blue heaven

THE traditional destin-ation for holidaying Tories is usually the Winter Gardens in East-bourne or taking in the illuminations at Blackpool.

The resorts are synonymous with blue-rinse diehards strolling arm-in-arm along the promenade, but in keeping with recent changes at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street, a party of young Conservative councillors has just returned from their two-week summer break in the clubbing capital Ibiza.

Although no one party has overall control of Swindon Council, the Conservative group can boast four members all aged 26 or under.

The Tories now have the longest serving councillor group leader Mike Bawden (Old Town and Lawns), a councillor since 1967 and the youngest, Christopher Van Roon, 23, (St Margaret).

Debbie Baylies, 26, (St Philip) and Glenn Smith, 26, (Covingham and Nythe) and Van Roon were elected on May 1, while Justin Tomlinson, 26, (Abbey Meads) who is already a cabinet member with aspirations to become an MP, helped orchestrate their election success.

But Ibiza, the white isle, clubbing Mecca . . . surely there is some mistake?

Coun Tomlinson, who was manager of West Swindon nightclub Eros for two years, said: "I went to Ibiza last year and I think it's a great island for holidays. You've got the beaches during the day and in the evening there's lots of choice.

"Just because we're all on the council doesn't mean we're old Ibiza was a great place to go and it was cheap. I'd definitely go back again."

It cost £249 for a fortnight's stay in a four-star hotel in San Antonio. The trip was something of a Tory away day with ten of them in tow, including Coun Tomlinson's fianc, Halina Roberts, who stood in Western ward at the May elections, Coun Baylies' boyfriend Paul Bristow, who works for Richard Spring MP, Dale Heenan, who stood in Moredon at the May elections, Rachel Losts, who works as the Conservative agent in Finchley Margaret Thatcher's old constituency, and three friends.

Among their destinations were superclubs Eden, Es Paradis and Caf del Mar and celebrities they met included DJs Dave Pearce and Brandon Block.

Coun Baylies said: "One night we would have a quiet drink and the next we'd go clubbing, but we were mostly out until 6am. We all knew each other before we went and had a great time."

The fact that none of the foursome came back with spectacular tans is a telltale sign that most of their revelry was done during the small hours.

May 1 this year heralded something of a change in local politics in Swindon.

After the much-publicised slating the authority received from Government inspectors last year, the election of three fresh-faced councillors was a breath of fresh air and something of a surprise.

For years the Conservative party's grass roots support has been known as the blue rinse brigade, but the young Turks are committed to stamping their mark on Swindon Council.

Coun Smith said: "I'm not afraid to ask difficult questions, I'm not here to be liked, but I am here to get things done.

"All of us are here to represent the residents that's all we can do. We all spent hours knocking on doors and listening to people during the election and that really paid off."

The Conservatives came agonisingly close to regaining overall control of the council on May 1 they were one seat and 29 votes away from a majority.

Before the count the Labour group had 28 seats, the Tories had 23 and Liberal Democrats had eight. Afterwards the Conserv-atives had 29, Labour 22 and the Liberal Democrats eight.

Among the major surprises were unknown Laura Holiday ousting former lead member for education Chris Eley from his Walcot seat and newcomer Debbie Baylies defeating Swindon Labour group chairman Ray Ballman.

Wherever these young councillors' political careers end up one thing is certain going to the annual Conservative party conference at one of the British seaside resorts is going to seem bland in comparison to Ibiza.