Former Eastleigh Lib Dem mayor defects to Ukip after 'Chris Huhne's lies' I vowed I would never work again for Chris Huhne when I found out the lies he was telling to the electorate at the general election. He said Chris Huhne used to be known locally as "Chris Who?" because he was not well acquainted with his constituents. Mr Davies-Dear defected to Ukip along with Andy Moore, another former Liberal Democrat councillor, who is "disillusioned" about the party's failure to protect green spaces. Mr Moore said he was unhappy that the Liberal Democrat candidate, Mike Thornton, has promised to protect green spaces but supports plans that would put thousands of new houses on the countryside. "He pledged to save our green fields but he has also voted to build on them," Mr Moore said. Mr Davies-Dear added: "We made promises for 20 years to people, dont worry we'll never build there. The next thing they know they're going to have houses there. If you've made promises to people by should keep them. The Liberal Democrats are thought to be in the lead in a close-fought contest with the Conservatives. However, polls also suggest Ukip is making in-roads with local voters. Ms James, a healthcare expert who joined Ukip after being an independent councillor, said she thinks the vote will be very tight, but that Ukip will win after about three recounts. She predicted the Liberal Democrats will come second and the Tories will third. It came as Tory sources were privately acknowledging that they are not expecting to win the by-election. Nick Clegg, the deputy Prime Minister, has said he is "confident" the Liberal Democrats will win.