The UK Independence Party is on the rise in Sussex following the defection of a senior Conservative.

Roger Arthur, the deputy leader of Tory-controlled Hor- sham District Council and its cabinet member for finance, claimed his party had “lost touch” with its core values claiming UKIP is “the real Conservative Party”.

The announcement comes as rumours circulate of another defection in the Lewes district with sources claiming more will follow.

With local elections in both East and West Sussex in May, UKIP activists are hoping to make inroads in what has traditionally been a Tory stronghold.

Nigel Carter, chairman of UKIP Brighton and Hove, said the party had the potential to do “extremely well” at the local elections.

Mr Carter said: “There are a lot of people like myself who feel as though UKIP is a game changer and we want to smash the left-right paradigm.

“All these defections are just people coming home.

“It’s not just former Tories in UKIP; there are a few Labour and quite a few gays in UKIP in Brighton too.”

Speaking after the defection, Coun Arthur said of the Tories: “A lot of traditional supporters have been disappointed at the continuing lack of strong direction.

“I regret having to take this action but I need to be free to criticise the current leadership in public without constraint.”

Coun Arthur said he had considered resigning as a councillor for the Chanctonbury ward and restanding in a by-election.

However, he said he did not feel the £10,000 cost was good value for money to the taxpayer.

The next election for his seat is in two years’ time.

The move comes two months after Lewes district councillor Donna Edmunds became the first UKIP councillor in the country when she defected from the Tories.

Phil Howson, who is both a Lewes district and East Sussex county councillor for Peacehaven, is considering his future in the party.

If he did defect, it would mean the Conservatives running Lewes District Council loses its working majority.

Speaking to The Argus, Coun Howson said: “Everyone is making assumptions on my behalf.”

He said he would make a decision after the Easter weekend.