An outspoken councillor’s switch in allegiances shook up council politics this week.

St Helier Councillor David Theobald has quit as an Independent to join United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP).

The move means his new party has a grand total of two councillors as he joins fellow maverick colleague, Belmont UKIP coun David Pickles.

However, Mr Theobald’s decision may only have a short-term influence on his ward, after he announced he would step down from politics this year due to the deterioration his health because of Crohn’s disease.

Coun Theobald, 51, said: “I do not perceive UKIP as a party of the right, left or centre, but see it as a broad spectrum and I will continue to exercise my moderate left of centre ethics.

“I have enjoyed many debates and conversations with coun Pickles over the past few years and have found that, despite opposing views on some issues we can always find common ground and a viable road forward”.

Frank Day, chairman of UKIP Sutton Borough branch, who is the parliamentary candidate for Carshalton and Wallington at the coming general election, said he was “delighted at the news”.