Councillor’s application to join Brexit Party knocked back

A LONG-SERVING Calderdale councillor is staying independent after his application to join the Brexit Party was turned down.

Roger Taylor has served as an Independent councillor since last November after suspension by the Conservative Party following accusations of Islamophobia.

Coun Taylor, who has served the council in different spells from the 1990s, for the majority of that time representing Northowram and Shelf, questioned his suspension by the party and said at issue was freedom of speech after making a comment about child groomers.

His party designation on the council’s website had changed to Brexit Party this week – but he later explained that it had not been accepted and he would return to Independent designation.

“I have applied to join the Brexit Party – they have refused my application,” he said.

Councillor Taylor added he thought that might be because “they have done a lot of homework and think I might be a bit of a liability for them.”

He also confirmed that his suspension from the Conservative Party had been made permanent and he believed Conservative Party headquarters was “locked in the Westminster bubble”.

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