Curiouser and curiouser! A Liberal Democrat councillor named
Diane Horn has defected to UKIP ahead of standing for election to the Snepshed
borough and town council elections later this year. She explained her decision
to switch to UKIP as arising from her disillusionment with the Liberal
Democrats, occasioned by, according to the Loughborough Echo, the fact that “I
am no longer sure what the Lib Dems represent.”
Councillor Horn is not impressed by Nick Clegg and his
volte-face over the tuition fees issue. She told the paper that she thought
that the Lib Dems are considering some “frightening” measures in connection
with the NHS, whereas “UKIP is trying to protect jobs and repair the UK economy
and reduce debts.” For her, UKIP’s stance is also closer to her own insofar as
she wants “to make sure the people of England are put first.” Leaving the EU
therefore holds no fears for her. Councillor Horn has served her local
community as an elected representative for nine and a half years, and before
her defection, was considering standing down altogether, owing to her
disillusionment with her former party.
Sadly, and predictably, Councillor Horn has been called a ‘racist’
owing to her change of party allegiance. She is not.
How many more defections might occur? It would, of course,
be entering the realms of science fiction to imagine a Lib Dem MP defecting to
UKIP, but it will be interesting to see how robust their grassroots membership
proves to be in the coming years. Although Councillor Horn’s choice of new
party is unlikely to appeal to most Lib Dems, the Greens must surely present a
more agreeable home for many of them. It will be interesting to see what impact
the seven-way debates have on the relative fortunes of the Greens, the Lib Dems
and Labour.
