Two Grantham councillors defect to UKIP

Two Conservative district councillors in Grantham have defected to UKIP.

Husband and wife team Cllrs Mike and Jean Taylor have been members of the Conservative Party for 48 and 36 years respectively. Mike has been a district councillor for 16 years and was a cabinet member until his defection. Jean has been a councillor for almost 4 years.

The pair have been at loggerheads with the Grantham & Stamford Conservative Association recently over the candidate selection process and behaviour of some of the Conservative councillors and their PPC. Last March, Grantham & Stamford Conservatives selected a former BNP activist for a by-election for Kesteven District Council.

Jean Taylor said:

I'm quite relieved to be out of it. I'm disappointed because I've been a member for a long time, but this is a new beginning. UKIP is not a new party but it’s building up and getting lots of new members. It’s exciting.

Tories select former BNP activist for by-election

Grantham & Stamford Conservatives have selected a former BNP activist as their candidate for a South Kesteven District Council by-election.

Dr Peter Moseley appeared on the leaked BNP membership lists complete with the same address and mobile phone number. The Conservatives said "he is dedicated, local and hardworking" and that "supporting Peter is the only way local residents will get the District Councillor they need".

Last year Labour helped get a former Nazi elected in Milton Keynes whilst a local party - For Darwen - got a former BNP councillor elected to Blackburn with Darwen Council in 2010. The Conservatives in Darwen offered a former BNP activist the opportunity to stand for them for Darwen Town Council in 2009. UKIP is the only party that bans past and present members of the BNP, National Front, EDL and other undesirable political parties and groups from becoming members.