A well-known former Conservative mayor has joined UKIP after becoming disillusioned with Tory cuts and the party’s stance on Europe.
The popular former Mayor of Northampton Colin Lill has made the jump to UKIP to the delight of local activists, including Northamptonshire and East Midlands MEP Derek Clark, who said he was pleased to welcome him to the party.
He said: "I have become increasingly disillusioned with the Conservative Party locally - despite what David Cameron says - we are seeing cuts to front-line services. Meanwhile members’ allowances are astronomical and totally un-realistic.
"It’s a pity councils don’t do the honourable thing and cut allowances to councillors and not services to the public.
"The party’s stance on Europe also angers me. We have lost so much control to Europe and I want to see a total withdrawal from the EU and the money we spend on being a member spent on our people in our country.
"Hearing the news that Mr Cameron has imposed a three line whip on Conservative MPs today (Wednesday) ordering them to vote against a referendum on Europe justifies my decision to leave the party."
He added: "We must look at the numbers of people coming into our country and get control over our borders again – there are not enough jobs and too many people. It’s clear to see."
Mr Clark said: "I am absolutely delighted Colin has come across to UKIP.
"We have known each other for sometime and crossed swords across the hustings in a gentlemanly way. He is just sort of person UKIP needs and his views on the EU are totally in line with UKIP’s."
Chairman of the Northamptonshire branch of UKIP Jim MacArthur said: "It appears people are becoming more and more concerned about the ‘Europe issue’ and we welcome Colin on board."
Mr Lill, 62, who lives in East Hunsbury, was a member of the Conservative Party from 1978 before moving to UKIP.
He had an active political career, first in Hemel Hempstead before moving to Northamptonshire.
He was first elected to the borough council in 1999 before being de-selected by the party in May, served as Mayor in 2006/07, and is a popular figure in and around Northampton.
He decided to make the move to UKIP and within days saw former Tory treasurer Lord Hesketh defect from the Tories to UKIP too.
