THE Mayor of Weymouth is to stand against his former leader in local elections after being dumped by his party.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland and former borough councillor for Westham North Graham Winter was de-selected by the Liberal Democrat group in favour of candidate Ryan Hope.

Mr Winter said he decided that he still wanted to represent the people of Weymouth and Portland and decided over a period of about six months to stand as an Independent candidate in the ward where he lives.

The ward of Radipole is currently held by leader of the Liberal Democrats group Ian Roebuck. Mr Winter will be standing for the ward on election day – Thursday, May 3.

Mr Winter said the Liberal Democrat group de-selected him from representing Westham North without any discussion.

He added that his decision to stand in Radipole where he lives had caused some ‘consternation’ in the Liberal Democrat party but that he felt he wanted to be an independent voice for the people.

He said it was not a snipe at the Liberal Democrats Mr Winter said: “Having been mayor I realised, having been in a non-political role, really I felt I could represent the views of the residents rather than being constrained by a political party.”

He said: “I wanted to have an independent voice.”

Mr Winter represented Upwey and Broadwey for a decade before taking a four-year break and returning to politics to represent Westham North, later becoming mayor.

He said his decision to stand in Radipole, where he lives, had caused some comments to be made by former colleagues.

He said: “It’s caused some consternation.

“There’s been some comments made by some people but I’m not going into that, it’s up to them. It’s a decision I made, simple as that.”

He added: “I shall possibly lose a few friends out of it but there you go. This is what I wanted to do.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group Ian Roebuck said he was saddened by Mr Winter’s decision.

He said: “The group decided that Ryan Hope should be the candidate. I’m sad but it is of course his prerogative.”

Mr Roebuck said he had worked with Mr Winter for many years and had helped to get him elected on three occasions.

He said: “It’s his decision. I’m saddened but that’s all.”

The candidates

LITTLEMOOR John Twidale Ellis - Conservative Rachel Rogers - Labour

MELCOMBE REGIS Peter Michael Farrell- Conservative Howard Richard Legg- Liberal Democrat Jon Orrell - Green Stewart Barrie Pearson - Labour

PRESTON Ian Bruce- Conservative David George Mannings - Liberal Democrat Joseph Paul Rookes - Labour

RADIPOLE Andy Hutchings - Labour and Co-operative party Ian Roebuck- Liberal Democrat Alison Scott- Conservative Graham Stanley Ernest Winter- Independent

TOPHILL WEST Jo Bray - United People's Party Ray Nowak - Labour Richard Anthony Paisley - Conservative Tim Woodcock- Independent

UNDERHILL Robert Hughes - Independent Tim Munro - Conservative Sandy West - Labour WESTHAM EAST Jane Burnet - Green Mike Byatt - Labour Oz Kanji - Liberal Democrat Andrew Manvell - Conservative

WESTHAM NORTH Lindsay Mary Drage - Labour Ryan Hope - Liberal Democrat Jean Woodward - Conservative

WESTHAM WEST Sonia Ellen Cash - Conservative Gill Taylor - Liberal Democrat Michael Lloyd Wheller - Labour

WEYMOUTH EAST John Birtwistle - Liberal Democrat Michael Frost - Labour David Howard Smith - Green Geoffrey Gordon Smith - Conservative

WEYMOUTH WEST Brian Antony Heatley - Green Colin John Huckle - Labour Nigel Reed - Conservative Richard Shrubb - Liberal Democrat

WYKE REGIS Kate Wheller - Labour John Howard Wort