Sandwell's sole UKIP councillor quits party
The only UKIP councillor in Sandwell has quit the party to become an independent.
Councillor Philip Garrett, who represents Princes End, had been the sole voice representing the party on the council which is dominated by Labour.
Councillor Garrett's decision means Labour is now the only political party represented at the authority, although there are several independent councillors. The Conservatives were wiped out in 2015.
UKIP's support nosedived at the General Election in June with many questioning the party's relevance in the wake of the Brexit vote.
Pete Durnell, who is head of UKIP in Sandwell and was the party's candidate for West Midlands Mayor said: "I know he had some issues, as we all have, about what is going on in the party. I imagine he has reached a point where he has had enough.
"It's obviously disappointing but he has done everything he can. He couldn't get a motion through as there was no-one to second it."
Sandwell's Labour group has been rocked by its own internal rumblings in recent weeks, with two councillors, including former mayor Barbara Price, resigning the whip.
