Heather McLain, a Conservative councillor representing Severn Vale North at Tewkesbury Borough Council, has defected to the Liberal Democrats following growing concerns over her former party’s decisions. The turning point came after the Tories selected Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi with a criminal record, as a candidate for the Crewkerne seat on Somerset Council.
Cllr McLain expressed deep regret at leaving the Conservative Party but said she felt compelled to resign due to increasing disappointment with the leadership’s choices and public remarks purportedly by party leader Kemi Badenoch, who claimed councillors mainly handle “bins and parking.” McLain emphasised that borough councillors undertake significantly broader responsibilities.
She criticised the initial approval of Mr Bonehill-Paine, who has previous convictions including assaulting a police officer, burglary of a police station, and posting antisemitic material, for which he served prison sentences. Additionally, he was convicted of racially harassing former Labour MP Luciana Berger. Mr Bonehill-Paine has since withdrawn his candidacy and publicly expressed regret for his past actions.
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Cllr McLain stated: “I have not left the Conservative Party. They have left me. I regret that I can no longer belong to a party where former, violent neo-Nazis are approved as candidates, while centrists who dissent on human rights and environmental policies are marginalised. These blatant double standards are just wrong.”
She also voiced support for rehabilitation and hopes Mr Bonehill-Paine will serve his community through more appropriate channels.
Highlighting positive experiences with the Liberal Democrats, McLain commended the “collaborative approach” of their Tewkesbury branch. Liberal Democrat group leader Richard Stanley welcomed her warmly, praising her as a “hard-working, passionate, principled and compassionate councillor” dedicated to putting residents first.
The political composition of Tewkesbury Borough Council now includes 16 Liberal Democrats, eight Conservatives, four Greens, six Independents, two Isbourne and Winchcombe Independents, one Reform UK councillor, and one non-aligned member.
Tewkesbury Conservatives have been approached for comment on the defection.