CASTLE Point Council’s Ukip group leader has called for councillors to resign and seek re-election if they decide to switch political parties.

Ukip leader Alan Bayley spoke out after a strong of defections from one party to another in the council chamber in recent months.

Winter Gardens councillor Steven Cole left the Canvey Independent Party last November to join the Tories.

Then Brian Wood, who was elected as Ukip councillor for Benfleet St George’s in May 2014 resigned from Ukip in May 2015 and then joined the Tories two months later.

Mr Bayley said: “If a councillor finds it necessary to resign his party for whatever reason, they should stand down, and seek re-election.

“This does not happen. If a councillor stands down, withdrawing from the council, an election would be called.

“Can you explain the difference to me the difference between the two situations?

The situation of changing parties without the mandate of the people who elected them is an abuse of privilege and is undemocratic.”

However, Castle Point Council leader, Tory Colin Riley said: “No law prevents a councillor leaving a political party to join another.

“Ultimately, there is no difference between the two situations as both stand for election with the opportunity for residents to make a decision through the ballot box.

“The democratic process is well served in both situations."