CONSERVATIVES in Bradford have turned on a defecting councillor and revealed he had not been selected to stand for the party again, ahead of his decision to join Ukip.

Bradford City Councillor Michael McCabe has represented the Tories for a decade in the Thornton and Allerton ward but told the T&A he was defecting to Ukip ahead of joining that party’s official election campaign launch last night.

However, Bradford Conservative Association said he had not been chosen as a Conservative candidate when his term of office ends in May, with a spokesman saying: “Councillor Michael McCabe’s term of office ends in May and he was not selected to stand for us again because he is not considered an effective councillor in representing the people of Thornton and Allerton.”

A Conservative group spokesman echoed that comment, saying: “The Bradford Conservative Association decided some time ago not to re-select Councillor McCabe as their candidate to fight the Thornton and Allerton seat in this May’s elections.

“The reasons for this decision are a matter for the association and Councillor McCabe and as such not a matter for the Conservative group on Bradford Council to comment upon.”

A group of anti-Ukip protesters gathered outside the Midland Hotel with flags and a loud-hailer to chant anti-Ukip slogans. There were several police officers in the area, both inside and outside the hotel. Ukip in Bradford have already said they considered Cllr McCabe to be popular and effective in the ward he represents.

Cllr McCabe refused to criticise his former Conservative colleagues and said: “There are some really nice people. There are people who are loyal and hard working for their constituents.

“There is no way I am going to turn around and be critical of them.”

Cllr McCabe added that he had a long-term Euro-sceptic stance and that his decision to join Ukip had “been a long time coming”.