A FORMER Labour councillor is hoping to make a comeback into local politics this May by standing as the UKIP candidate for Little Lever and Darcy Lever.

Sean Hornby represented the ward for four years as a Labour councillor, before standing an independent candidate in 2010.

The landlord of the Queens Hotel in Bradley Fold said: “It’s now five years since I represented the people of Little Lever and Darcy Lever, something which I miss very much.

“During my time away from the council I have been very much involved with issues which residents have brought to my attention.

“Some of the bigger matters that I have been involved with have been public meetings.

Mr Hornby, aged 50, said: “I want to put something back into the community and serve the people in the place I call home. I am ashamed at the moment at how the environment we live in has gone downhill. When you drive up the hill into either Little Lever or Darcy Lever you see filth, rubbish and neglect. We are becoming the poor relation of Bolton.

“People in Little Lever and Darcy Lever like people in Bromley Cross, Bradshaw, Astley Bridge, to name but a few, are subsidising the Halliwell, Daubhill, Crompton areas of this town.

“I think that the Labour controlled council has lost its way, it’s not listening to the people of Bolton any more and it certainly is not listening to the people in Little Lever and Darcy Lever.

“I know I can be controversial at times, a little outspoken but I believe that is what gets results.”

He said that standing for UKIP gave him to have the freedom to represent the constituency.

Mr Hornby said: “Whilst I don’t agree with all the UKIP policies and I don’t think any politician of any political party does agree with all their own party’s policies, I agree with most of them.

“UKIP gives me the freedom to speak my mind and represent the community to the best of my ability, without constraints and without being whipped by party lines.

“I like the idea of being part of a party which in Bolton is in its infancy, and the opportunity to help influence its direction and help the party gain seats across Bolton.”

He added: “I feel insulted when people put the accusation at UKIP that we are a racist party — we are not, never have been and never will be a racist party.

“UKIP now have strict criteria for people who want to stand for them on the UKIP ticket. A vetting process was introduced recently which goes into your background, checks for any links you may have with any organisations which are deemed racist, or anything else which is considered not appropriate. I respect people’s beliefs, cultures, and ways of life always have done and always will.

“I think the word racist is a word which is used far too often and I think political correctness has gone out of control not just locally, but nationally.”