UKIP Crawley councillor resigns

Crawley's only UKIP councillor has resigned today as he no longer has the time to commit to the job.

The surprise announcement comes just 24 hours after Cllr Karl Williamson, who defected from the Conservatives, informed the leader of the UKIP Crawley branch of his decision.

It is with regret to announce that I will be resigning from my position as councillor for Southgate with immediate effect.

I have tendered my resignation to the Head of Legal & Democratic Services at the town hall.

Lately, my full time work schedule has become increasingly busy, which has resulted in me spending a lot of time out of the country.

Southgate deserves a councillor who can commit a large percentage of their time to the town, and I am no longer in a position to do that.

We often hear of LibLabCon councillors refusing to resign their seats even if they move hundreds of miles away so it's great to see this great example from a UKIP councillor.

Chair and Vice Chair of Crawley Conservatives defects to UKIP

The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Crawley Conservatives and a Conservative Councillor's wife have defected to UKIP today.

Lee Gilroy and Cllr Karl Williamson have both been under fire within their association culminating in a vote of no confidence at a meeting a week and a half ago.  Both refused to bow to pressure over what they maintain are false claims of bullying but on reflection decided they had both had enough of the Tories and resigned.

Another former Conservative councillor, Ali Burke, has also joined UKIP.  Burke is married to Conservative councillor, Lee Burke.