Fourth Chichester councillor to leave Conservative Party

Jamie Fitzjohn, who represents Chichester South at county level, is the fourth Tory councillor to jump ship in the past week.

The others were former county council leader Louise Goldsmith and Chichester district councillors Christopher Page and Martyn Bell.

Mr Fitzjohn said his reasons for doing so were personal.

He is now listed as an Independent but said he would not be seeking re-election in May 2021.

He added: “I am extremely confident in my ability to continue to serve the residents of Chichester South as I have done since being elected in 2017.

“I have always put my residents’ interests first and will continue to do so for the remainder of my term.”

Mr Fitzjohn has proved as good as his words, repeatedly speaking out against the county council’s behaviour during the recent battle to save Ruboldswhyke School from closure.

Karen Dunn , Local Democracy Reporting Service