A FORMER Conservative councillor has been picked as Ukip’s new group leader on Tendring Council.

St John’s district councillor Mick Skeels followed MP Douglas Carswell by defecting to Ukip in September.

Mr Skeels was re-elected in Ukip colours at the local elections earlier this month.

The party’s new deputy leader, John Hughes, who represents the St James’ ward, was also previously a Tory councillor.

Ukip increased its number of council seats from just three to 22 at the local elections, and is in with a chance of taking control of the council on May 26.

Mr Skeels said: “Everybody worked really hard to get elected and it was a marvellous result.

“It really showed how local people feel.

“If we don’t get control of the council, as an opposition we will do what we can.

“We will vote for anything put forward that is good for the area and if not, we will do our best to do the right thing.”

Mr Skeels said he did not think it was a problem that many of Ukip’s new councillors lacked council experience.

“There are some really well educated people in the group,” he said.

“Some people think Ukip are racist, but that’s just not true.

“Our group are a nice bunch of people and all want to do the right thing.”