Worthing councillor quits Liberal Democrats

James Doyle, 46, a Worthing borough and West Sussex county councillor, has resigned over “broken promises”.

Mr Doyle cited several reasons for his shock decision, including the controversial rise in students’ tuition fees and the failure to crack down on “excessive” bankers’ bonuses.

Mr Doyle, who unsuccessfully stood for the Lib Dems in East Worthing and Shoreham at the 2005 and 2010 general elections, now plans to serve as an independent councillor.

He said: “I am very unhappy with the direction things have been going.

“I feel some of the things that have happened, including tuition fees, are basically a breach of promise – a promise I also signed up to.

“I have no quarrel with people locally. Everybody is doing a good job.

“My concern is what’s happening at national level.”

Mr Doyle was first elected to Worthing Borough Council in 1995 and served for four years.

He returned between 2002 and 2007, when he lost his seat.

He was re-elected, to Selden ward, in 2008 and intends to serve his full term, which ends next year.

Mr Doyle was elected to the Worthing Pier seat of the county council in 2009 and does not come up for re-election until 2013.

More about Mr Doyle’s decision to quit the Lib Dems in the Thursday, January 20 edition of the Herald series.