TRIBUTES have been paid to Newquay Cornwall councillor Kevin Towill after he passed away on Tuesday.

The Reform councillor, who represented Newquay Porth and Tretheras division, was aged 46.

Originally a Conservative Mr Towill made headlines in February 2025 when he defected to Reform UK, citing a desire to be part of a "new political force,” becoming the party's first representative on Cornwall Council.

He was appointed as the deputy leader of the Reform UK group on Cornwall Council in October 2025 following the May 2025 local elections.

Mr Towill had returned to politics after spending more than six months in Derriford Hospital’s neurological rehabilitation unit in 2024 following the the removal of a brain tumour.

He became the youngest mayor in Newquay Town Council's history when he was appointed in April 2012 at the age of 32.

Mr Towill, who worked as a taxi driver alongside his political career, represented the Trenance division for many years but stood down in recent times to concentrate on his Cornwall Council work.

The councillor worked tirelessly over the years to help make Newquay and Cornwall a better place to live and work from helping people get emergency dental treatment to in more recent times putting forward a motion at Cornwall Council affirming the value of trial by jury.

He was also a longstanding member of the Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club, where he received a Chevron Award for 10 years of service in late 2023.

People from across the political divide have paid tribute.

Mayor Cllr Drew Creek said: “On behalf of Newquay Town Council, our staff, and all elected members, I extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to Kevin’s mother, his family, and to all who knew and loved him.

“I came to know Kevin over the past five years on this council. While our politics were often worlds apart, I held, and will always hold, the utmost respect for him.

“Kevin possessed a rare ability to debate with conviction, and to land his remarks in the chamber with both strength and consideration.

“He served his community with unwavering passion, dignity, and respect. Many will be aware of the tremendous challenge Kevin faced in 2024 with his illness, which saw him spend much of his time in hospital.

“There was a sense of hope recently as he seemed to be improving.

“Indeed, his dedication never wavered. Just last month, I interacted with him at County Hall, where he was characteristically active and leading the call on a motion, a powerful reminder of his enduring commitment to public service, even in the face of personal adversity.

“Kevin’s passing leaves a void in our council and in our community.

“He will be greatly missed, not only for his contributions but for the principled and passionate man he was. Our thoughts are with his family at this most difficult time. Rest in peace, Kevin.”

St Austell and Newquay Labour MP Noah Law added: “I feel immensely sad about Kevin’s passing.

“Whilst I can’t of course pretend to agree with his politics, Kevin was a genuinely decent man who, especially following his illness, threw himself into his work and helped local campaigning victories, working effortlessly together with those of us of all political stripes to get things done in the community like in Nansledan.

“My thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”

Labour Cornwall councillor Kate Ewart said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Newquay Cornwall Councillor, Kevin Towill. Kevin and I had very different political views, but he was an incredibly decent person, and a good councillor, who worked very hard at all he did.

“We definitely had much more in common than that which divided us and worked together collaboratively for Cornwall as he did with councillors of all politics and none.

“Cornwall Council will be a poorer place for his loss.

“My thoughts are with his mum and wider family and friends at this most difficult time. May he rest in peace.”

Conservative Cornwall councillor James Mustoe said: “When I joined the local Conservative Party in 2012, Kevin was one of the younger members, and a great example for how a councillor should conduct themselves.

“He was an absolute stalwart councillor already for Newquay Town Council and became its youngest mayor around that time.

“Kevin was a really sound guy. At all times he was professional, approachable and ready with sensible and reasonable advice.

“In 2017 he was elected to Cornwall Council and served there ever since, again conducting himself impeccably throughout, including memorably leading the successful campaign to retain a fire control centre for Cornwall.

“In more recent years, Kevin suffered with some of the most challenging health problems I can recall.

“Despite being incapacitated for what must have been approaching a year, he maintained contact with his residents by email and did his best through what must have been the most difficult of times for him, personally and professionally.

“It was always good to see him, when he was able to make it out, or virtually, and to encourage him in his fight against a terrible condition. Kevin was re-elected last year, and in my eyes seemed to be making progress with his health.

“I was only thinking earlier this week that he appeared to need less supportive equipment when I last saw him in County Hall a couple of weeks ago, and how this must have been a good thing.

“Over the past year Kevin was able to return to Cornwall Council and participate in a way that was more involved than many who did not share his struggles.

“Just this year, he put in a motion on the council backing trial by jury, that was passed with a strong majority, and spoke in favour of my motion on the council supporting retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. When I last saw him a couple of weeks ago, he attended and participated fully in an overview and scrutiny committee meeting.

“A good councillor, both locally and at County Hall, but more importantly a good friend, I will miss Kevin tremendously.

“Newquay and our Cornwall will be poorer without him. My thoughts and sincerest condolences are with his mum Diana and all who knew him.”

Cllr Leigh Frost, the Liberal Democrat leader of Cornwall Council, said: “I found Kevin to be a genuinely caring individual who always put the people he represented first. Although we sat on opposite sides of the political spectrum, he was someone who would readily work across differences to do what was best for Cornwall.

“Despite ongoing health challenges, he never stopped working for his community and remained committed to his role until the end. He will be greatly missed.”

Linda Taylor, former Conservative leader of Cornwall Council, said that she was shocked to hear of Cllr Towill’s death after only speaking to him on Sunday.

“He overcame many difficult medical issues with courage and bravery. Kevin was extremely loyal to his friends and cared for his community, working hard to make a difference.

“We kept in contact, I always had the greatest of respect for Kevin and admired his procedural knowledge of the constitution. Kevin I shall never forget you. RIP.”

Mr Towill joined Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club in 2012.

A spokesperson for Blystra Lions said: “Kevin was best known in the town as a long-serving Cornwall and town councillor, having the honour of serving as the Newquay mayor in the year 2012-13.

“At that time he was the youngest mayor in the history of that office.

“At the age of just 46, his passing to higher service is particularly untimely, not just because of his relative youth, but because of the incredible determination and inner-strength he had shown in recovering from the removal of a brain tumour almost two years ago.

“This was an operation that required the best part of 12 months recovery in hospital and specialist facilities in Plymouth, before being allowed home early in 2025.

“During this time, Kevin, at that time a Conservative councillor, kept his activities with Cornwall Council and Newquay Towan Blystra Lions alive through technology and attended meetings where possible on zoom.

“Having returned home he then set about campaigning and canvassing to retain a seat on Cornwall Council, this time for the Reform Party, and was successful in being reelected to serve in the Tretherras ward with a convincing majority.

“Kevin will be sorely missed but we are sure his particular talents and emphasis on helping others will be well utilised in his moving on to 'higher service'.

“RIP friend and fellow Lion.”

A by-election will be announced for the Newquay Porth and Tretherras seat in due course.