Senior Conservative councillor defects to Rupert Lowe’s Great Yarmouth First |
Hemsby councillor and Beach Cafe owner James Bensly has joined Great Yarmouth First and its sister party Restore Britain, becoming the first serving Conservative borough councillor to switch to the party.
The move was announced by Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe and follows Mr Bensly's departure from the Conservative group.
Mr Bensly, who represents East Flegg ward on the borough council, is one of the best-known figures in local politics, and has also represented Hemsby on Norfolk County Council.
Rupert Lowe has welcomed James Bensly's defection from the Conservatives to his Great Yarmouth First/Restore Britain party. (Image: Tejas Sandhu/PA)
Until May, he served as cabinet member for environment and waste in the Conservative administration led by Kay Mason Billig at County Hall.
Mr Lowe welcomed the defection, describing Mr Bensly as "a local champion for Hemsby".
He said: "To have him join our team is a massive boost for what we are trying to achieve.
"James will be standing in his ward next May as we aim to........