THERE is no chance of a Liberal Democrat borough councillor becoming Test Valley's mayor in the near future.

The council's Conservative leader, Ian Carr, has ruled out any hopes of a Liberal Democrat taking on the first citizen's role at the moment because of what he says was 'disrespect' for the present mayor Peter Boulton at his inauguration ceremony last May.

North Baddesley's Steve Cosier and some of his Lib Dem colleagues were behind a sit-down protest at Romsey's Crosfield Hall in which they refused to stand as the new mayor left the ceremony.

The Lib Dems had put forward Romsey's Dorothy Baverstock to be considered for the next deputy mayor, which would mean her becoming Test Valley Mayor in May 2007.

However, in an e-mail sent to Lib Dem leader Robin Hughes, Mr Carr said that this was out of the question following his party colleagues' behaviour at the mayor-making.

Mr Cosier accused the Conservatives of being "petty and narrow-minded" in refusing to allow a Lib Dem member to become deputy mayor.

"Councillor Carr and the entire Conservative group are allowing their own prejudices and an unhealthy obsession with me to cloud their judgement.

"Mrs Baverstock has been a borough councillor since 2003, a Romsey town mayor and deputy head at Romsey School. Her credentials are impressive and if anyone deserves to represent the borough, then she is clearly a worthy candidate," concluded Mr Cosier.

If Mrs Baverstock's nomination had been accepted the borough would have had a mayor from Romsey in the year the town celebrated the 400th anniversary of being granted its charter.

In response Mr Carr said the Lib Dems behaviour at last year's mayor-making ceremony was unacceptable and he also emphasised that there was no fixed procedure for the choice of who should become next mayor and deputy mayor.

"After the behaviour of the Liberal Democrat group last year, I don't think that it is right that a party which shows disrespect to the mayor should nominate a deputy mayor. If the Lib Dems can't respect the mayor they don't deserve to hold that position," said the borough's leader.

The Conservatives have not revealed their choice for deputy mayor. The current deputy is James Neal, councillor for the Harewood ward (which covers Barton Stacey, Bullington, Wherwell and Longparish) and he will take over the top job in May.