But Cllr Alan Ward is not bitter, and has even taken on a new role as treasurer of the Bracknell Conservative Association.

Bracknell Forest Council leader Paul Bettison said: “That is typical of Alan. He is a fantastic man who he has always believed in democracy, even though it has sometimes worked against him, and on this occasion it has worked against him.” He added: “It is not a case of deselecting him. It was simply a case of not selecting him this time. It means that someone else successfully persuaded the selectors that they can walk on water.” Cllr Bettison, who described Cllr Ward as an old friend, added: “Alan is a first rate politician who has done a great deal for this town and we are all proud of him. He is a culture vulture, an opera buff, he loves art and he will spend a lot more time travelling to see his family.

“We are thrilled that he has already taken on new responsibilities within our group.” Cllr Ward certainly had no hard feelings against his colleagues when the News telephoned him.

He said: “I am in Saigon, Vietnam, and I am on my way to visit a son in Australia.” Cllr Ward said he was speaking from the same room in Saigon where author Graham Greene wrote his epic 'The Quiet American.’ He said: “This inspires me to write a book called 'Eighty Years a Tory.’ Cllr Ward, aged 80, remains chairman of one of the association’s branches.

He was appointed a Bracknell district councillor on the same day Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister in May 1979, and later became a member of Bracknell Forest Council when it became a unitary authority.

The passionate conservative is a working class Tory from East Ham, London, and dismisses talk from political opponents that Tories are all Eton-educated toffs.

He is a former teacher, council leader, and mayor, and was elected to serve people in the Central Sandhurst ward.

He became executive member for transformation and finance and vice-chairman of the Executive.

Cllr Ward admits that in his early days it was easier to combine a career with council work, but says present day councillors need to do the job full time because of the workload.

He is proud of his track record of transforming areas of the town, and says he leaves the borough 'debt-free’ in spite of rapidly dwindling government grants.

He remains a committee member of the Sandhurst Day Centre.

In 2013 he self-published a book 'Not a Single Excuse.’ Ash Merry , of the Bracknell Conservative Association, said his expertise in the world of finance will still be needed and added: “He has a fine track record. He still wants to be involved.” The man chosen as his successor is Mr Philip King.