FORMER Haslemere mayor David Round is the only candidate from Waverley borough standing as a South East England MEP in next week’s European elections.

In a double whammy, not only is he up against some hefty opposition for the 10 seats up for grabs, including new Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, but he has also been suspended by his own party for standing as an Independent.

A former Conservative borough councillor, Mr Round’s decision to stand as an Independent candidate, meant he was automatically suspended by party HQ, but he can appeal at the next executive committee to be reinstated.

Mr Round told the Herald: “I cease to be town mayor on May 23. Mayors sometimes wonder what to do after their one-year term ends, but I decided recently ‘on a whim’ to stand in the European election.

“The European election is such a strange event this time amid the chaos of Brexit that anything could happen.

“It could well be the case that voters will take against the main Westminster parties, who have both made such a mess of Brexit, and vote for the few independent candidates standing.

“I very much look forward to a chance to represent the whole South East of England - some 6.5 million electors.

“My experience in Haslemere will stand me in good stead - having represented some 6,500 electors in Haslemere East on Waverley - and argued passionately in their support.

“What the UK needs are independently-minded citizens, free of party responsibilities, to vote with their conscience on behalf of the people of South East England.

“It’s a pity that UK MPs don’t act that way. Their fettering by party loyalties and the political manoeuvring that entails, is partly the reason for the appalling mess that Parliament have dropped us into.”

* Polling stations open 7am-10pm on May 23 with results due on Sunday, May 26.