THE OUTSPOKEN former leader of the Conservative group in Basingstoke and Deane – who was expelled following an argument with a party agent – has re-entered the political fray after joining the local branch of United Kingdom Independence Party.

Phil Heath, a former borough deputy mayor, has joined the political party in an “advisory” role ahead of May’s local elections, but said he was not planning a return to the Civic Offices any time soon.

He explained: “I have always said that I didn’t leave the Conservative Party – the Conservative Party left Basingstoke. I believe UKIP has taken the ground that the Conservatives have left behind – that is freedom of the individual, the ability to look after one another, the ability to make decisions locally and not have too much centralised Government.”

Mr Heath, who led the Basingstoke Conservative group at the turn of the century, was expelled from the Conservatives in 2008 before going on to form the Basingstoke First Community Party with his wife Christine. However, he opted against standing for re-election in his Hatch Warren and Beggarwood ward last year, after almost two decades on the council.

During his last 18 months on the council, Mr Heath faced four misconduct allegations regarding his alleged “bullying” behaviour. After being found guilty of two and not guilty of the other allegations after standards panel hearings, he described the experience as “mentally and physically draining”.

Mr Heath said he would be warning his new colleagues of the “dirty tricks” he feels are played in local elections. He said: “That is something you cannot read in a book – it has to be from experience.”

Basingstoke UKIP branch chairman Alan Stone said: “Phil is a decent, hard-working politician. He has a great affinity with people rather than the party, and UKIP is all up for that. He is a bit outspoken at times but he says what he thinks and that is a good way to be.”

Mr Stone, of Worting Road, Basingstoke, runs The Squirrels antiques shop, in New Street, and Stone’s Fine Jewellery, in Wote Street. He said the UKIP branch, which formed last year, could put up as many as eight candidates at May’s local elections.