A WOULD-BE MP, who stood against Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell at the 2010 general election – has defected to UKIP.
Victoria Ayling, pictured, who is also an East Lindsey District Councillor, confronted Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday at the Conservative spring conference to explain her decision.
She said: "Lincolnshire residents should come first, which is why I wanted to become a district councillor. As a matter of conscience I could no longer serve you under a party led by David Cameron.
"So many of you are struggling to make ends meet, our roads are littered with pot holes and our schools and police are struggling to cope with dramatically reduced budgets.
"I have listened to you at a recent public meeting I organised and have taken note of how central Government policies have caused hardship or offence. Lincolnshire residents should be the first and only priority of a locally elected councillor."
Lincolnshire UKIP MEP Derek Clark welcomed her to the party and said: "I am delighted to be able to welcome such an obviously able and positive councillor, who will work hard for the people she represents."
And UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "It's fantastic to welcome Victoria to UKIP and have such a talented and experienced person on board who will work hard across Lincolnshire, the East Midlands and indeed, the county."
