News that veteran councillor and former mayor Colin Rayner has been deselected by his Conservative party colleagues has sent shock waves through the Royal Borough.

Cllr Rayner has represented the ward of Wraysbury and Horton since 2005. He runs Berkyn Manor Farm in Stanwell Road, Horton and served in the cabinet as lead member for highways, responsible for the borough's roads for four years.

He has also served as mayor and is currently serving a second term as deputy mayor. His wife Samantha Rayner is a councillor representing Eton Wick.

Over the weekend Cllr Rayner tweeted: "Today I was not selected by the local Conservative members to stand in May 2019. I have loved every second helping and working with the great residents of Horton and Wraysbury."

The tweet came only hours after Cllr Rayner tweeted about an important meeting with Home Secretary Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP on Thursday night in Windsor, to discuss seasonal workers permit scheme for agriculture workers. They also discussed the problems of daily crime on his farm. 

Cllr Rayner is a familiar and much loved figure in and around Windsor in his distinctive bowler hat and is closely involved with the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

He is also a man who speaks his mind and does not always toe the offical Conservative party line.

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