A BOURNEMOUTH councillor has defected from the Conservatives to the Independent group, claiming it will leave him better placed to help residents.

Cllr John Wilson has resigned from the ruling Conservative group and said his priority was to work for residents in his Boscombe East ward.

He said: “I have been heavily involved in the area for years, long before I became a councillor, and there’s some things I’ve not been happy about.

“The whole idea is to get myself into a situation where I can help people. I want to continue helping people without having to go through policies with other people.

“My priority is to help residents of Boscombe East and help promote the area.”

Cllr Anne Rey, the leader of the Independent group, said: “I’m happy Cllr Wilson is joining us, he will be able to be his own person in the Independent group.”