Holt councillor joins UKIP

A controversial north Norfolk councillor has joined the United Kingdom
Independence Party because he says it matches his patriotic views.

Holt businessman Michael Baker has been an independent member for more than 15
years, but has previously sidled up to the Conservative-Independent alliance,
and is still a card-carrying Tory.

However he says the Tory party's switch to the centre ground of politics had led
him to make his change of allegiance.

“As an Englishman and a patriot I have found it increasingly difficult to
support a Conservative Party which will not commit itself to withdrawing from
Europe,” he explained.

“Indeed, our Conservative MEPs even sit with the European People's Party in
Brussels, a Parliamentary group which is committed to further EU integration.”

“I support Great Britain and having the Queen as our head of state,” he added.
“ I have no desire to be a European.”

UKIP is committed to withdrawing Britain from the European Union, which it feels
is bad for the nation's economy and prosperity.

Mr Baker, a former chartered chemical engineer, took over the family retail
business in 1974 and is managing director of C T Baker, which incorporates
Holt's famous Bakers and Larners department store as well as a string of
builders merchants' depots.

He is a colourful bow-tie wearing character, known for speaking his mind at
council meetings. As well as spell on the town council, he is also a member of
Rotary, a former Round Tabler and has chaired the local chamber of trade.

He hit the headlines in January 2006 when he was banned from the district
council for a year after breaching a councillors' code of conduct on declaring
interests, when he took part in a debate about a planning application by his own
company.

But in May he was re-elected, as an independent again, polling 835 votes, the
second highest tally in the town, to gain its second seat behind Lib Dem former
town council chairman Philip High.

Last night Mr Baker stressed: “I do not feel I have contravened any electoral
promises I have given.” He was “still very much independent” but his views, now,
and over the past 20-30 years, were now more aligned to UKIP than the Tories.

“Many people I speak to hold similar views and I hope my actions will act as a
catalyst to encourage these closet UKIP supporters to come into the open. A
really good result at the next European elections will surely send a strong
message,” he said - but denied his move was paving the way for him to stand for
the party at the next general election.

UKIP's regional organiser Peter Reeve said: “We are very proud to have such a
pillar of the community and such an experienced district councillor on board in
our fight to regain our freedoms and our country.”