UKIP’S leader at Shire Hall has crossed the floor to join the Conservatives following the EU Referendum result.

Lydney County Councillor Alan Preest has rejoined the Conservative Party after five years with the eurosceptics.

Cllr Preest, who was group leader for Ukip at Gloucestershire County Council, says he did not take the decision lightly.

He said: “I consulted and took advice from many different people."This was not a five minute decision.“We need to unite and work together and I think it is for all Ukip councillors to consider their future.

“Ukip as a party achieved the result it was working for, but my main concern now is taking Lydney forward and achieving the best for the town.

“The main thing about my political future will revolve around what’s best for the future of Lydney.

“I’ve had a good five years at Ukip, a time which I’ve enjoyed and I have a great friend in Colin Guyton.

“But after the vote I think it’s time to move forward and work together.”

Despite losing its group leader at county level, Richard Leppington, Ukip county councillor and district councillor, says his party will continue and that it has a ‘vital’ role in ensuring the results of the referendum are seen through.

Richard Leppington said: “We’ve got the result we wanted from the referendum but there has been some backsliding from some of the members of the leave campaign.

“There is a great need for Ukip to see that the democratic wishes of the people are followed through.

“Some of the leave campaigners seem to have not wanted to leave but were aiming for a better deal to be put to referendum.

“We are the voice for ordinary working people and we will continue to do what we can for them to be heard.”