A key figure in the fight to try to save Shropshire’s ambulance emergency control centre is now bidding to become a member of the county’s new unitary council.

Steve Jetley, who resigned during the ambulance campaign in protest at the proposal to close down the control room in Shrewsbury, will be standing as the Conservative candidate for the town’s Belle Vue seat.

“During my campaign to save the ambulance control centre in Shrewsbury, I was shocked by the lack of public support shown by some of the town and county councillors,” said Mr Jetley.

“It seemed to me that an elected representative who is unwilling to put in a little effort to fight for a cause as important as saving people’s lives won’t care much about traffic problems or the co-location of a college.

“Now more than ever, as Shropshire is to be governed by a unitary authority, I think it is essential for councillors not only to care passionately about Shrewsbury, but to be prepared to actively fight for a cause when necessary, rather than just sit and debate.”Mr Jetley said he had chosen to stand for the Conservative Party as not only did they give enthusiastic support to the 999 campaign, but he believed that MP Daniel Kawczynski in particular, genuinely cared about Shrewsbury.

He added: “By resigning in protest from a job I loved during the campaign to save the ambulance control centre, I demonstrated that I will ‘put my money where my mouth is’ when it comes to the crunch, and I hope that the people of Belle Vue will recognise that whilst I might not have years of council experience, I do have the determination and energy to fight for those things that matter to them, regardless of their political allegiance.”

Mr Jetley said it was his intention to call on every voter in Belle Vue over the next few months, but if anyone wanted to raise issues with him, then they could visit his website at jetley4bv.com.