A second UKIP county councillor has defected from the party, forming the first ever independent group on Bucks County Council.

Councillor Phil Gomm, member for Aylesbury East, announced today that he is leaving UKIP to join forces with West Wycombe’s representative, Councillor Darren Hayday.

This means the first ever independent group within the Conservative-controlled county council has been created.

This morning, Councillor Gomm’s ‘party’ was listed as ‘UKIP’ on Bucks County Council’s website.

It has now been altered to ‘Independent’.

The move leaves just four UKIP politicians sitting within the council’s ranks – the same number as the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Gomm is the second UKIP politician in Bucks to become disillusioned with Nigel Farage’s party, following in the footsteps of Councillor Paul Irwin who defected to the Conservatives in January.

Bucks County Council’s rules state that no party can be formed with just one member.

With Councillor Gomm’s defection, he has now joined Councillor Darren Hayday, representative for West Wycombe, to form the Independent Group.

Councillor Hayday will be the group’s leader, with Councillor Gomme acting as deputy.

There are now three independent councillors in County Hall, with Councillor Julia Wassell sitting as an East Wycombe Independent.

Bucks Free Press:

Councillor Darren Hayday

Councillor Hayday said: “I am delighted to lead the Independent Group at County Hall.

“It’s been a long time waiting to have the opportunity to form our own group. Both I and Councillor Gomm get along very well.

“He has not been happy for some time with the leadership of UKIP, I believe him to be a very hard working councillor and wish him well in the soon coming AVDC elections.”

The former Mayor of High Wycombe added: “Our newly formed group is open to anyone who wishes to join us from across the political spectrum.

“The main reason that I decided to leave party politics is that I do not agree that politicians would be whipped and told what to vote on. A politician should work for his or her constituents and not for the greater good of a political party.”