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Two more Tories cross the floor

Wednesday, 14th September 2011

Two North-East Hampshire councillors have resigned from the Conservative Party and joined UKIP, Britain's fourth largest political party.  

Mark Staplehurst and Steve Smith, who both sit on Rushmoor Borough Council in Farnborough, left the Conservatives on Monday evening.

Both men have cited 'the lies and broken promises' made to them by the Conservative Party as the reason for their decision.

Mark Staplehurst (right in our picture) was elected in May 2007. He is the Borough Services Policy and Review Panel Vice Chairman and a member of the Community Policy and Review Panel.

Steve Smith (left in our picture) was elected in May 2008. He is a member of the Community Policy and Review Panel, the Environment Policy and Review Panel and the Licences and General Purposes Committee.

Both Mark and Steve represent West Heath Ward.

Mark Staplehurst said: "Rushmoor is very much the home of the British Army as it encompasses both Farnborough and Aldershot. I have been appalled with this Government's attitude towards our Armed Forces with ongoing cuts and a lack of resources. For me this was the final straw."

Steve Smith said: "Traditionally the Conservative Party has always supported the Armed Forces but not any more. We feel that the residents we represent have been let down by the lies and broken promises of David Cameron when it comes to matters of defence."

Councillor Pete Reeve, UKIP's Local Government spokesman, said: "We warmly welcome Mark and Steve to the party. They represent a growing number of disenfranchised Conservative councillors who have had enough of David Cameron and the coalition. On issues such as defence, law and order, education and Europe, many Tories are now realising that UKIP is the party that properly represents their views, not the Conservative Party."

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