CONSERVATIVES are refusing to fight a £2,000 by-election – because a council-wide poll is just seven months away.

An election has been called for Conservative Louise Chapman’s former East Witney seat on Witney Town Council, after she was removed when she did not attend a council meeting over a six-month period.

Yet the Tories said the move was a “total waste of money” as all council seats will be up in May anyway. The poll would take place in January if called.

The Tories hoped to stop the poll as at least two candidates are needed for it to take place. But Labour and the Liberal Democrats have confirmed they will stand and the Green Party is also expected to take part.

Barry Norton, Conservative leader of West Oxfordshire District Council and David Cameron’s agent, said: “I’m surprised and disappointed that major political parties should be forcing a by-election, where somebody will only serve for four months and a couple of meetings at most.”

Labour candidate Duncan Enright said: “It is not me that is wasting the public money, it is the Conservative councillor who stood down.”

Richard Dossett-Davies, spokesman for the Green Party, said: “I would think it would be pretty definite that the Greens will be contesting it.”

Members have to meet to confirm this, he said.

Liberal Democrat Mark Balaam said: “To expect the people of East Witney to do without one of their town councillors isn’t acceptable.”

Candidates will have from November 26 to December 6 to put their name forward. Final names will be confirmed on December 9.