FORMER Lydney town councillor and district councillor Alan Preest has decided to quit the Tories and join the Forest branch of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP).

Mr Preest, who lives in Bream and works for builders' merchant Travis Perkins in Lydney, says he hopes the new platform will bring a fresh outlook to local politics.

A strong campaigner on local issues and never shying from controversy, he said: "Our politicians have betrayed the people.  Over the past months it has become apparent to me that the traditional parties have completely lost touch with the public.  

"This was highlighted by our local MP, Mark Harper's recent decision to follow the orders of the party whip and vote against giving the British people a vote on our continued EU membership, despite knowing that the majority now want to leave the EU – Only UKIP is saying this. 

"With the latest opinion poll placing UKIP just one point behind the Lib-Dems, I'm excited by our potential, and can confirm that I will be campaigning, within the local branch, throughout the Forest of Dean."

Professor Tim Congdon from Huntley, UKIP Forest of Dean's parliamentary spokesman, added: "We are delighted to welcome Alan to the UKIP Forest of Dean team, and I'm sure that his immense local knowledge and campaigning experience will be a great asset for both our group, and the people of the Forest area in general."