ONE of the two politicians rumoured to be considering a leadership challenge has pledged allegiance to the council’s current Tory bosses.

Councillor Steve Wakefield, the current mayor of Swindon, was featured alongside Councillor Nick Martin in Monday’s Advertiser as one of two possible challengers to the Tory leadership.

However while Coun Wakefield took yesterday’s opportunity to confirm his loyalty to leader Rod Bluh and deputy leader Fionuala Foley, Coun Martin, who is the cabinet member for property, leisure and recreation, put the phone down when questioned on the matter.

Coun Wakefield said: “I think it is really a non-story and I have yet to be asked about the whole thing by any of my colleagues, it has really been business as usual.

“I was one of the people who originally nominated Fin (Ms Foley) and I think I supported Rod in his bid to become deputy at the time. So really my position hasn’t changed.

“I am certainly not mounting any challenge. I have no problem with the present leadership, to be honest I am baffled as to why I have been dragged into this or am even mentioned.

“I have no problem with the cabinet or the leadership. When I finish as mayor I want to concentrate as a backbench councillor and get my case work done. I support Rod and Fin.”

Coun Wakefield’s support comes only a week before the group’s annual general meeting next Tuesday, at which point the Advertiser understood there was to be a challenge by Coun Martin who lost his cabinet role as lead member for resources in December.

And although he was adamant he was not planning on running for the leadership, he did raise concerns over Coun Bluh’s current battle with labyrinthitis when previously asked by the Adver.

He said at the time: “If his health continues to undermine him then it might lead to a change in leadership. He has been fairly poorly fairly frequently.”

Meanwhile Coun Foley said the story had prompted support for Coun Bluh’s and her own leadership.

She said: “I thought the article was very balanced, I await next Tuesday. I have no problem if anyone wants to challenge me, same goes for Rod.

“I am very happy to stand on my record. I believe in democracy.”