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Three Rutland county councillors join UKIP

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Three independent members of Rutland County Council have joined UKIP. Councillors Richard Gale, Nick Wainwright and Dave Richardson formed a group called the Rutland Anti-Corruption Group on the council two years ago but have now switched to UKIP. The trio claim they have been blocked in their efforts to scrutinise the actions of the Tory-run authority and that joining an established party will make it easier for them to hold the Conservatives to account. Former RAF officer Coun Richardson, who represents the Oakham South West ward, said: "We all stood as independents to uphold certain principles - integrity, openness and transparency and we still stick to those principles. "The problem with being an independent councillor is that you can be more easily marginalised. That is what has happened to us. "We will now have the practical support of a party and we chose UKIP because it is the only one that supports the principles I have mentioned. "They also do not enforce the whip so we are free to represent our residents based on what they want. "There is no scrutiny at all in Rutland under the Tories and that is not good for residents." Coun Gale, who represents Oakham North West, will lead the new UKIP group on the council. Coun Wainwright, member for Langham, was formerly a Conservative himself. UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "I am delighted to welcome such doughty campaigners into our ever-expanding group of local government representatives. "I have known Dave Richardson for a long time now and am pleased he feels that the fight against vested interested will be best served by joining UKIP." In January the three councillors were threatened with legal action for alleged harassment of senior council officials, which they have denied. Conservative council leader Roger Begy said: "They have been a group for two years already so their position doesn't change. I would imagine the three councillors would not have completely changed their spots. "The other day they were three councillors called the anti-corruption group today they are three councillors called the UKIP group. "I think I actually prefer the new name." Coun Begy said nothing had ever been done to prevent the three doing their job as councillors and that he did not fear a UKIP surge in the county. He said: "This is not a major national battleground." UKIP could secure a fourth councillor in Rutland on Thursday when a by-election is held in the Ketton ward. A Tory candidate and two independents will also fight the seat.

Three Rutland county councillors join UKIP


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