A WEST Devon Borough Councillor, who abandoned the Tories for a fresh course as an Independent, explained her reasons at a meeting in Tavistock Town Hall last week.

Cllr Caroline Keane said she was grateful for the people who came. 'The feedback I had was fairly positive,' she said.

'I felt that the residents had a right to say to me what they felt, and to hear directly from me my reason for not renewing my membership of the Conservative Party.'

She said it was well known she had wanted to resign before but was asked to reconsider and stay a Conservative member until after the county and general elections to 'maintain the status quo'.

She had seriously considered joining the Liberal Democrats but ultimately felt the honest thing was be an 'unaligned' Independent.

'I believe more in what the Green Party stands for than any other party — and the Lib Dems have a strong green component.'

Cllr Keane said during the last year she had 'struggled' to sit as a Conservative. She spoke of the 'widening gap' between her and the party which she said was becoming more and more right wing'.

'I stand totally alone and with the people I represent — which I have always done' she said.

'Now I'm not diluted between the electorate and the powers that be with political agendas that distort my efforts in representing the electorate.'

Cllr Keane said she wanted to serve the community while also wanting to succeed in a political sense.

'I have studied organisational structures and believe that the political party system is dated and undemocratic — and unrepresentative. It is time for people to work together for the benefit of the community.'

She said that she would continue, as an Independent, to attend every council committee meeting.

Cllr Keane has also promised to visit all the households in her ward over the next few months so they know the situation.