Cllr West will remain on the borough council with UKIP (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Cllr West will remain on the borough council with UKIP

2:41pm Friday 21st September 2012 in Local By Adam Richards

Councillor Stephen West has confirmed he will remain a borough councillor, but representing the UK Independence Party.

He officially resigned from the Conservative party last night.

Earlier today at the UKIP annual conference, the former Conservative was welcomed on stage by party leader Nigel Farage.

Mr Farage announced that Cllr West will run for the Hampshire police and crime commissioner in November.

Speaking to the Gazette , the Tadley Central councillor said he does not intend to call an immediate by-election.

"I will remain as borough councillor but for UKIP," said Cllr West. "But the people of Tadley will have the opportunity to write in, and if 20 per cent of the electorate write in, then I will stand down, and stand again for my seat in a by-election."

In a statement, Chris Guy, head of governance at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council : “We are aware that Cllr Stephen West has resigned from the Conservative Group however, as it stands, we have not been informed if he will be representing another political group on the council."