Tribute to former Newquay mayor Kevin Towill who has died after fighting brain tumour
Cross-party tributes have been paid to Cllr Towill
Last updated 11th Feb 2026
Kevin Towill, a former Mayor of Newquay, who fought back from a debilitating brain tumour to represent the people of his beloved town at Cornwall Council has died.
Cross-party tributes have been paid to Cllr Towill, 46, who became the first Reform UK councillor at the unitary authority after defecting from the Conservative party a year ago.
Cllr Paul Ashton, Reform UK’s Cornwall Council group leader, said: “I am greatly saddened by this news. Kevin was a history maker, being the first Reform councillor in Cornwall.
“His quiet passion for serving his community was infectious and was an example to all his colleagues. We will miss his insights and experience. However, he leaves us with a legacy in how to serve his community, hard work, determination and belief in representing the people of his division. He was a true gentleman and will be missed greatly.”
Cllr Towill, who represented the Newquay Porth & Tretherras division, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2024 and following an operation at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth was unable to walk or talk for six months.
Despite his medical challenges, he fought back and continued to serve his community from his hospital bed before being able to attend council meetings in person.
Cllr Towill resigned from the Conservative party last February, joined Reform and was re-elected to his seat. He said late last year: “My councillor laptop was a lifeline. Being able to keep working helped distract me from everything I was going through.”
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.”
Cllr James Mustoe, Conservative councillor for Mevagissey & St Austell Bay, said he was shocked to hear of the death of his friend and colleague.
“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.”
Cllr Mustoe added: “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.
“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 (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.”
Cllr Mustoe ended his tribute to Cllr Towill by saying: “A good councillor, both locally and at County Hall, but more importantly a good friend, I will miss Kevin tremendously – Newquay and Cornwall will be poorer without him.
“My thoughts and sincerest condolences are with his mum Diana and all who knew him.”
Cllr Kate Ewert, Labour councillor for the Rame Peninsula & St Germans, 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.”
Noah Law, the Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay, also paid tribute: “I feel immensely sad about Kevin’s passing. Whilst I can’t of course pretend for a moment to agree with his politics, Kevin was a genuinely decent man who, especially following his illness, threw himself into his work and helped secure local campaigning victories – working effortlessly together with those of us of all political stripes to get things done in the community like in Nansledan.”
Linda Taylor, former Conservative leader of Cornwall Council, said that she was shocked to hear of Cllr Towill’s death yesterday (Tuesday, February 10) 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.”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Councillor Kevin Towill, and my sincere condolences are with his loved ones.
“Cllr Towill served on the Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Panel for many years, including a period of time as Chair, playing a vital role in holding my office to account on behalf of the residents of Devon and Cornwall, for which I am very grateful.
“Cllr Towill will be remembered for his professionalism, fairness and good humour, and he will be much missed by me and my office, as well as all those who knew and worked with him.”
A by-election will be announced for the Newquay Porth & Tretherras seat in due course.