A BRIGHTON and Hove councillor has stunned his colleagues - by announcing he is joining the Scottish National Party.

Labour councillor James McGinley has made history by becoming the first councillor in England to switch his allegiance to the SNP.

The 45-year-old teacher will represent the party at council meetings in Brighton and Hove, despite being more than 400 miles from the Scottish border.

The SNP were delighted with their new recruit - but other councillors have been left bemused.

Brighton and Hove Council leader Lord Bassam said: "It is not really clear precisely how he intends to represent SNP policies here on the south coast of England."

The Brunswick and Adelaide ward councillor will now have policies which will see him pushing for:

Independence for Scotland.

The launch of a new Scottish lottery - which would be easier for Scots to win because it would have fewer balls.

Aspokesman from the SNP said: "We'll be sending him membership forms, but it is unlikely we'll be able to form a new branch in Brighton with only one member."

After 25 years with the Labour Party, Coun McGinley, a Scot who is not seeking re-election to the council this year, said in his resignation letter to Lord Bassam: "After visiting Scotland over the Christmas holiday, I have decided to represent the Scottish Nationalist Party for my few remaining months on the council."

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