LORD Bathurst has dismissed rumours he was forced to stand down from the Cirencester Conservatives.

When the town’s Conservative branch recently merged with the nearby Thames Head group, they decided to abolish the role of honorary president, which was held by the Earl Bathurst.

He had held the role for around three years.

The position of vice president was also scrapped, and branch spokesman Stuart Tarr said that honorary positions are no longer necessary in modern politics.

There have been rumours that Lord Bathurst was bitter about his role being removed, but he told the Standard that was not the case.

Lord Bathurst said the merger of the branches is a good idea and that he is glad to now have extra time on his hands.

“I think the merger is a very sensible idea,” he said. “I have enough bits and pieces on my plate.”

As an honourary president, the Earl was required to get involved when elections took place and also attend various functions.

He will now have no involvement with the branch at all, but said he is pleased this will give fresh blood a chance to play a part.

“I think it’s important they have merged as it gives great opportunity for more people to get involved,” he said.

“Quite often it’s the same people involved all the time and you can get into a rut.”

Lord Bathurst went on to say that it was a good idea for the group to modernise by using social media more to communicate with members, as it would hopefully bring in more young people.

“I think the problem today is that people are so busy doing things that they do not want to go to meetings," he said.

"They want to spend time with their family, and to have to go to an AGM is not always very appealing.

“There are different ways of doing things now.

"Social media now can keep people involved, especially more young people, and that is what has got to happen.”

Stuart Tarr, spokesman for the newly merged Cirencester Thames branch, said the decision to merge had nothing at all to do with forcing Lord Bathurst to stand down as honorary president.

He said the move was about bringing an end to the archaic practice of appointing an honorary president.

“It is all part of a fresh approach to modernising our new branch and approach to Cirencester,” he added .

The new branch committee now includes a chairman, vice chairman, treasurer, secretary, campaign manager and supporting committee members.