Friday, 5th February 2010

Further proof that UKIP is on the up in the North West and gaining support from all quarters has been amply demonstrated in Congleton with three former local mayors defecting to UKIP.

“This is fantastic news,” said Lee Slaughter, the party’s parliamentary candidate for Congleton.

“This has come about in no small measure through the efforts of local members, particularly Brian Jarvis, our branch chairman, and Elizabeth Madders, our treasurer.

“We have all been working very hard locally to explain to people exactly what UKIP is about - common sense policies and involvement in local issues,” said Mr Slaughter.

The three former mayors – (pictured here, from left) Neville Price, Louise Beard and Mike Kitton – met with UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall and Lee Slaughter today at Congleton Town Hall for a press conference.

“I am delighted to welcome the three former mayors into the Party. It is more proof that UKIP is a growing force in British politics,” said Mr Nuttall.

“We are not just about the EU any more. We are about winning local council seats and taking seats in Parliament. We have members of all political parties joining us because they realise there is only one moderate alternative party and that is UKIP.”

Louise Beard and Neville Price were both Conservative councillors who were mayor of the town council. Mr Price was also mayor of the borough council and chairman of Cheshire County Council.

Mr Kitton is a former Liberal Democrat councillor and mayor on the town council.

Miss Beard, who is planning to stand in the local elections next year, explained she had joined UKIP because it was the only centralist moderate party.

“We are patriots and want to see this country govern itself rather than being governed by Brussels,” she said, a sentiment echoed by Mr Price and Mr Kitton.

A former mayoress, Gladys Worthington, who was also a Tory, has also recently joined the branch but was unable to attend the press conference.

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