A FORMER Conservative Cabinet member who sought to improve the environment on Newport council has defected to Ukip.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage unveiled William J Routley as one of the new faces of the Eurosceptic right wing party at its Welsh conference in Margam Park today.

The former Stow Hill ward councillor was a Cabinet member for the environment in Newport and the chairman of Newport Transport.

He started his political career as a Labour councillor in the city before defecting to the Conservatives and lost his seat in 2012.

Mr Routley told the Argus: “The main mantra coming from the public is that there is no difference between Labour, the Tories or the Liberal Democrats.

“This type of cosiness it seems is resulting in people not voting in elections.

“Ukip is from the people, to the people, for the people. It’s a people party.

“It reminds me of a party that has all the traditional working-class British values and yet it is classless.

“It is like a mirror reflecting back what people want. I am so glad I am part of that at this stage.”

Conservative Cllr Charles Ferris, the chairman of Newport council democratic services committee, expressed his disappointment at the defection.

The Allt-Yr-Yn ward councillor said today: “As a Conservative I am very surprised. I had hoped Bill would stay with us to fight the elections next year.”