THE formation of Cornwall's new unitary council has been highlighted as one of the worst examples in the country by a senior Conservative party figure.

On a visit to Cornwall, Eric Pickles, the newly-appointed chairman of the Tories, said the process of reorganisation had been a disaster – and a waste of taxpayers' money.

Speaking at Kingsley Village, Fraddon, as part of the party's Get Britain Working roadshow, Mr Pickles said: "Reorganisation of local government has had lots of problems. There have been major issues elsewhere in the country where this is happening but Cornwall's is without doubt the worst by a mile."

The Brentwood and Ongar MP was visiting Cornwall to hear the views of local people and businesses about problems they are facing during the economic downturn.

But audience members placed great emphasis on the future direction of Cornwall and feared the new unitary authority could cause further problems.

However, Mr Pickles said: "Once the new authority has been implemented I am not going to waste millions more pounds reversing this process. We have far greater issues that we need to tackle and I don't think we would be able to look our electorate in the eyes and say, 'we've just spent x amount setting this up, we're now going to spend this amount reversing it'."

Speaking about the struggling economy, Mr Pickles said the Conservatives would "govern for all" and were the party with the "real ideas" of how to take the country forward.

However, he did face a grilling from one audience member, who said: "We have one of the worst governments in power right now that we have ever had but the main reason for that is because we have one of the worst oppositions.

"You (Mr Pickles) have not inspired me.

"I want to see someone who is hammering the desk with his fist and being passionate about what they are going to do – not reading from notes."

In response, the straight-talking MP said the party had tried the "fist and hammer" approach before – and had been hammered in the previous three elections.

He also fielded questions from businesses who were suffering tough times with minimum wage costs and health and safety bureaucracy.

"The ultimate test for Cornwall is when the sun starts to shine and we see how many people come down here to visit. Tourism and agriculture are the main industries and it is a case of one hand washing the other," he said.

And he had positive words for Newquay and St Austell parliamentary candidate Caroline Righton.

"I am very positive that Caroline will be elected – I'm almost tempted to book dinner with her to celebrate, but we must not be over-confident as there is a job to do. But she is very smart and we have some excellent candidates in Cornwall."

Caroline Righton added: "It is great to receive the support of senior figures within the party.

"Not only is it positive that they come down here to see the problems for themselves, but they do take these concerns back to London so they can be addressed."