A BNP councillor on Kirklees Council is to quit the party.
Colin Auty, who represents Dewsbury East, failed to gather enough support to challenge British National Party leader Nick Griffin.
Now the councillor, who was elected in 2006, says he will serve as an independent until next month when he will then quit the council.
A by-election is then expected to take place.
Clr Auty said he had become disillusioned with the BNP during his leadership challenge.
He said: “One official described me as a joke candidate. It might sound funny coming from a BNP member, but I believe in democracy. The process was certainly not democratic.”
He said that his decision to join the BNP had also hindered his efforts to do his job.
“I can’t get involved in projects because of my BNP badge.
“I get shot down by the establishment. I have met some nice people but they cannot afford to be seen standing by my side.
“My wife has had a rough time for being married to a BNP councillor. It’s not nice to live in fear and my wife is fed up with it.”
Clr Auty, of Chickenley, Dewsbury, was to have served until 2010.
