UKIP Local Councillor that got away
This (below, from the BBC) was a good 'UKIP Local Councillor' story in 2004. But then came the 2005 election (see second article). At least Chris Lees is still one of UKIP's 9 (or is it 10?) local Councillors:
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Two councillors defect to UKIP
Two councillors in the West have defected to the UK Independence Party.
Gary Phipps, of Gloucestershire County Council, moved from the Tories, and Chris Lees of South Gloucestershire Council, from the Lib Dems.
Mr Phipps serves Severn Dean and said he switched because of what he describes as the encroachment of EU powers into local authority business.
Mr Lees serves Bradley Stoke. The pair give both councils their first UKIP representatives.
"I will fight for local council to have greater control over its own finances and we are against regionalisation," he told the BBC.
["It is unfortunate that no one voted for them as part of the UKIP party" - Petrina Holdsworth, UKIP chairman]
Mr Lees added: "It is about giving power back to local people.
"When I was elected there was a 30% turnout - 70% of people are disaffected. I want to give disenfranchised people the opportunity to get back into local politics."
Power at Gloucestershire County Council lies with a Labour/Lib Dem coalition.
Although the Conservatives are the largest party with 26 seats (after Mr Phipps defection), his decision will not affect the political balance.
Conservative councillors criticised the move, saying Mr Phipps has let his colleagues and voters down.
South Gloucestershire is a hung council, with all three main parties co-operating in a power share. Mr Lees is the first UKIP representative there.
Petrina Holdsworth, chairman, of UKIP rejected the suggestion the two councillors should resign and re-stand on a UKIP ticket: "MPs don't have to - they just see the light and go. "It is unfortunate that no one voted for them as part of the UKIP party, but they will be able to do so next time."
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Electoral Division
Name of Candidate
Address and Description of Candidate (where given)
Number of Votes
WESTGATE
BILTCLIFFE Benedict Dan (Commonly known as Ben) Flat 2, 8 Belgrave Road, Gloucester, GL1 1QZ
Green Party
524
HARTLEY Bernadette Isobel, Chad Cottage, Buttermilk Lane, Churchdown, Glos, GL3 2JA
The Labour Party Candidate
2010
HEATH Gordon, 13 St Swithuns Road, Hempsted, Gloucester, GL2 5LH
Liberal Democrat
2333
HILTON Jeremy Eric, 65 Oxford Road, Kingsholm, Gloucester, GL1 3EE Liberal Democrat
2509
MORELAND Robert John, 3 The Firs, Heathville Road, Gloucester, GL1 3EW
The Conservative Party Candidate
2438
PHIPPS Gary William, 12 Woodpeckers Close, Ashleworth, Glos, GL19 4JS
UK Independence Party
330
PURCHASE David Richard, 11 The Merryfields, Haresfield, Glos, GL10 3EF
The Labour Party Candidate
1452
TRACEY Pamela Elizabeth, 50 Henry Road, Gloucester, GL1 3DY
The Conservative Party Candidate
2668
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