Tory council leader defects to Labour in Cameron protest

A TORY council leader has dramatically defected to Labour in protest at David Cameron's inheritance tax cut plans for "millionaires".

Terry Hipsey, leader of Conservative-run Thurrock in Essex, said he could no longer justify his party's policies on tackling the recession. In a major coup for Labour, Mr Hipsey stunned colleagues when he crossed the floor at a council meeting last night. He claimed that local Tory councillors were "dysfunctional".

Mr Hipsey said the final straw had been Mr Cameron's decision this week to overrule Kenneth Clarke on plans to abolish inheritance tax on all homes worth up to £1 million.

"This last week has shown some of the worst examples of David Cameron's attempt to respond to the recession," he said in a statement.

"I cannot justify his decision to make his number one priority a tax cut, which would give hundreds of thousands of pounds to millionaires, but do nothing for the majority of Thurrock families."

His defection gives the two parties parity at the council with 23 seats each, with two independents and one BNP.