ConservativeHome's Local Government Blog

Defection gives the Tories a councillor on Haringey

Cllr Alan Dobbie (centre above), former Mayor of the London Borough of Haringey, has defected to the Conservative Party from Labour.

Cllr Dobbie issued this statement:

“This has been no easy decision, but I believe that urgent change and a fresh start is needed, both for Haringey and Britain. At national level we need a Government that has a sense of purpose—something which Labour seems to have lost in recent years. I am proud of much that Labour has achieved both locally and nationally in the past. But in recent months especially, Labour has shown how out of touch it is. It no longer seems to speak up for the ordinary person, focusing on the wrong issues, making bad judgements—and too busy worrying about what political posts people will hold and how much they will get for it.”

Richard Merrin, Conservative Party Candidate for Hornsey and Wood Green, added

“Alan will continue to serve as a Councillor for Noel Park until next May, putting the needs of Noel Park first as he always has. Local residents, residents associations, community and voluntary groups and local businesses will still have Alan championing their interests. And thousands of Conservative voters in Haringey will now have a voice on the council.”

Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Conservative Party Chairman also commented:

“It is now the turn of other Labour members and supporters in Haringey to take stock—and take positive action by joining the Conservatives as well. We warmly welcome Cllr Dobbie into the Conservative Party in the knowledge that he will bring tremendous insight and experience of local government and his community.”

I'm grateful to Justin Hinchcliffe for keeping me up-to-date with the run up to this defection in recent days.

Tim Montgomerie

DUP councillor defects to the Conservatives

Noon update: Here's a shot of Cllr Nelson being welcomed into the Conservative fold by shadow Northern Ireland secretary Owen Paterson and Jim Nicholson, who is seeking re-election to the European Parliament under the Conservatives and Unionists banner.

DUP Councillor Deirdre Nelson, who was elected to Ballymena Borough Council in 2005, has joined the Conservatives.

Cllr Nelson says:

“As of today, I have resigned from the Democratic Unionist Party. I have been unhappy with the direction the Party has taken since the loss of Dr Paisley as leader.

"I have watched, with interest, the recent moves by the Conservative Party to begin to steer Northern Ireland away from sectarian politics into normal UK politics and to ensure that Northern Ireland fulfils her role as an integral and necessary part of the United Kingdom, in which all traditions are welcomed.

Lib Dem councillor in Lewes defects to the Conservatives

As reported by the local newspaper, The Argus:

A Liberal Democrat councillor defected to the Conservatives saying his dedication to his town was not recognised by his old party. Robbie Robertson (pictured), who represents Newhaven Valley on Lewes District Council, announced his decision to cross the floor after his party raised council tax by 16% in Newhaven.

He said: “I am a dedicated and hard working councillor but sadly in my present position my skills are not utilised. Becoming a councillor was for me driven by the desire to involve myself in the Newhaven and district community and be instrumental in driving forward change and improvements.

“Unfortunately I can only be of use to the community if I am given the opportunity and this has certainly not been the case in recent times. The time has come I believe for me to associate myself with a party which hopefully will recognise my dedication to the community of Newhaven and district and give me the chance to work effectively on their behalf.”

Jonathan Isaby

Redbridge Council control in the balance

Redbridge Council has no leader at present as Cllr Keith Prince, the leader of the Conservative Group, was not elected Council leader at their meeting last week. Three members of the group have resigned to sit as independents. However two Conservative councillors were absent due to illness so perhaps Cllr Prince will be elected leader at an emergency Council Meeting called for this Thursday.

Another day, another defection

Yesterday I announced the defection of a Wirral Labour councillor to the Conservatives.

Today my attention is drawn to a similar defection which took place in Warwickshire earlier in the month.

28-year-old Cllr Kam Singh, a Labour County Councillor for Bedworth Poplar ward since 2005, announced his decision to join the Conservatives a couple of weeks ago.

He is now fighting that same ward as a Conservative on June 4th and said:

"I simply want to work hard for the people of Bedworth and help improve life for hard working local people in these difficult financial times. I believe the Conservatives are the party that are committed to delivering positive change for the town".

He is pictured here being welcomed into the Conservative fold by Alan Farnell, leader of Warwickshire County Council.

Jonathan Isaby

Wirral Labour councillor defects to the Conservatives

A long-serving Wirral Labour councillor, who was also an aide to Exchequer Secretary and Wallasey MP Angela Eagle, crossed the floor at last night's full council meeting and joined the Conservatives. Cllr Denis Knowles - pictured here (centre) with Tory group leader Cllr Jeff Green and Wallasey's Conservative PPC, Leah Fraser - represented the last Labour-held ward in the Wallasey constituency.

In announcing his decision in a speech at the meeting, he cited the ego of the council’s Labour leader and the plans by the Labour/Lib Dem-controlled council to close libraries and leisure centres.

He said that he was now "ashamed of Labour" and that his former party had “undermined local democracy and created bitterness". His full speech is reproduced on the Wirral Globe website.

Leah Fraser welcomed Cllr Knowles to the party, describing his move as "yet another nail in the coffin of the local Labour Party". She added: "Having lost five of the six wards in Wallasey last May, tonight they lost their sixth. The Conservative Party has changed and this decision confirms that change. There are thousands of people who, like Denis, have supported Labour throughout their lives but, after the last few months, are disillusioned and unsure who to support."

Jonathan Isaby

Former Labour Council leader quits

Two Labour councillors in Blaenau Gwent have quit the Party to become independents. Cllr John Hopkins, a former Council leader, and Cllr David Lyn Elias announced their decision on Saturday in protest over the planned closure of a local school.

The Labour Party have been in trouble in the area ever since a candidate was imposed in 2005 via an all women shortlist.

Tory leader of Thurrock Council defects to Labour

Cllr Terry Hipsey, the leader of Thurrock Council has defected from the Conservatives to Labour. It means that Labour and the Conservatives have 23 councillors each. There are two Independents and also a BNP councillor.

In many ways this decision sound like a relief for the Conservatives and a headache for Labour. Thurrock Council has been beset by difficulties. The Labour councillors had tabled a motion of no confidence in Cllr Hipsey. Will they now embrace them as their leader?

The local Conservatives had been worried that unpopular decisions by the Council under Cllr Hipsey command were damaging their prospects of gaining seats at the General Election.

Deselected Tory Devon councillors threaten to stand as independents

Two deselected Conservative Devon County Councillors from Honiton, Cllrs Roger Boote and Barry Nicholson, are threatening to stand as independents.

I don't have any inside information on this but their deselection does seem to have added force as it was determined by a secret ballot of party members. Generally when I hear that deselected candidates are threatening to stand as independents it rather vindicates their deselection as they demonstrate a lack of he essential team spirit. What is the advantage of having Conservative councillors who are only nominally Conservative?

On the other hand there will usually be a mix of Conservative councillors. There will be some who are battle hardened loyalists, who are Party members in standing for whom standing as anything other than the Conservatives would be unthinkable. But there will also be some new to the party who were effectively "head hunted" due to their proven community involement, perhaps in a residents association. This is a healthy mix although I suppose with greater risks that people will break ranks.

Broxtowe Lib Dem councillor defects to Tories

Cllr Mel Crow, previously a Lib Dem councillor on Broxtowe Borough Council, has joined the Conservatives.  She has been welcomed by Party Chairman Eric Pickles. It represents a boost to the Conservatives' campaign to gain Nottinghamshire County Council in June.

Labour leader on Worcestershire Council quits party

Cllr John Buckley, the leader of the Labour Group on Worcestershire County Council, has quit the Party. He may stand as an Independent, perhaps against Alan Amos the Labour councillor enthusiastic for twinning with Gaza.

Cllr Buckley resigned over the behaviour of his local Labour MP Mike Foster. Cllr Buckely says Foster ran a "me, me, me" campaign and just treated the Labour councillors in Worcestershire as nothing more than "leaflet-deliverers." The two haven't spoken since October.

Foster would make policy announcements on Council matters "out of the blue" often conflicting with the agreed policies of the Labour councillors. I actually don't see why a local MP and councillors from the same Party should have identical views on every single local issue. But they do need to talk. Foster has a majority of 3, 144.

Heathrow's Labour councillor defects to Conservatives

Cllr Santokh Dhillon who represents the Heathrow Villages Ward on Hillingdon Council has resigned from the Labour Party and joined the Conservatives.

Cllr Dhillon said  "I became a Councillor to help local people and improve the area in which we live.  I think that  Labour  are more interested in playing politics than helping the people of Hillingdon and I have been disillusioned for some time.

Welcoming Cllr Dhillon into the party, Cllr Ray Puddifoot (Leader of the Conservatives) said  "Santokh is a decent man, he has been a lifelong Labour Party supporter and I know that he has thought long and hard about this decision.  He shares our values, and anyone who does is welcome to join us and help us to continue to make a positive difference to Hillingdon and its people".

Deputy Leader of Hillingdon Cllr David Simmonds added "With no Council Tax rise guaranteed to 2011, Hillingdon remains in fighting shape to take on the Labour government over their third runway proposals, which
only a Conservative government can stop."

Surrey County Councillor defects to the Tories

Cllr Nigel Petrie, who is both a borough councillor on Epsom and Ewell and a Surrey County councillor, has joined the Conservatives. He was previously a Residents Association councillor. The RA have controlled Epsom and Ewell Council for 70 years.Cllr Petrie has served for 22 years and is a former Mayor.

The defection has been welcomed by the local MP, the Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling.

Lib Dem North Yorkshire County Councillor quits

Councillor Richard Hall, a Lib Dem County Councillor for North Yorkshire has resigned from his Party and will sit an an Independent. His resignation was prompted by a demand from his party that he hand over 10% of his basic allowances to Party funds, along with the other councillors in his group. Hall, who has been a Parliamentary candidate for the Party twice, says the demand is "arrogant and dictatorial."

Of course other parties also often ask councillors to make some contributions to Party funds although 10% of allowances sounds on the high side. Somebody has to pay for election campaigns. Is it reasonable that the beneficiaries should be expected to make a contribution? Or does Cllr Hall have a point when he says that he would not "buy his approval" to be a candidate?

Three Lib Dem councillors quit over Donald Trump golf course

Three Lib Dem councillors on Aberdeenshire Council have quit the Party to form their own group. This followed criticism from one them for Donald Trump being given a "sweetner." to provide a £1billion housing and golf resort.

Another Plymouth Tory councillor may defect to Lib Dems

Following the defection of Cllr Lee Hunt from the Conservatives to the Lib Dems on Portsmouth Council, Cllr Margaret Adair is "considering" following him. The Portsmouth News reports that she feels "Lee has been treated very badly."

Clarke appointment prompts Tory councillor's defection to UKIP

Councillor Denis Allen of Telford and Wrekin Council has defected to UKIP claiming his decision is prompted by the appointment of Ken Clarke as Shadow Business Secretary. Allen says it was the "last straw." Technically I suppose it's not really a defection from the Conservatives as Cllr Allen had already resigned the whip last month offering a different explanation more relevant to local matters, perhaps most pertinently the "failure to reinstate" him to the Council's cabinet. He was also quoted saying he would "gladly take the whip once more" if the leadership of the Conservative Group changed.

Portsmouth defections to Lib Dems

Further to the post a week ago about Cllr Lee Hunt in Portsmouth it is now expected that he will confirm his defection to the Lib Dems tomorrow. "Independent" Councillors Leo Madden and Jason Fazackarley are also expected to be joining the Lib Dems. This means that Portsmouth, hitherto a Lib Dem led minority administration will have a Lib Dem overall majority.

Labour councillor quits over Heathrow expansion

Cllr Mark Ereira-Guyer, a Labour councillor on St Edmundsbury Council and former Parliamentary candidate  for the Party, has defected to the Green Party. He believes the Government's approval for a third runway at Heathrow is a catastrophic mistake."

Wigan councillor defects to Tories

Cllr Edward Houlton, has defected from the Community Action group on Wigan Council to join the Conservatives. The news represents a breakthrough for the Conservatives in Wigan as they now become the official opposition to the Labour-run administration - for the first time in 30 years. 

The number of Tory councillors in Wigan thus rises from 14 to 15. I wonder what George Orwell would have made of it...

Labour County Councillor in Lancashire joins Tories

Conservatives on Lancashire County Council have warmly welcomed the latest defection of an opposition party councillor to their group. Labour Party stalwart and Morecambe South County Councillor Albert Thornton who has been a County Councillor for the past 11 years crossed the council chamber at County Hall to join the Conservative group on Wednesday.

This is the second opposition politician to join the Conservative group in recent months as a leading Liberal Democrat County Councillor Norman Abram defected in the autumn.

Albert Thornton has served on the County Council since 1997. The former Labour politician who campaigns for the elderly and animal rights groups resigned from the Labour Party on Wednesday and emailed his former colleagues outlining his reasons behind his decision.

CC Albert Thornton has now applied to join the Conservative group at County Hall and the Morecambe and Lunesdale Conservative Association.

Defection watch: North Yorkshire Lib Dem councillor joins Tories

Cllr Bernard Bateman a former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate and Lib Dem councillor on North Yorkshire County Council for Ripon North has joined the Conservatives. He sid he became disillusiioned with the Lib Dems whose meetings were "like a battlefield" and believes that the Conservatives offer the best approach to regeneration in Ripon to ensure "we protect jobs and keep our shops open."

Defection watch: Bradford Labour councillor joins the Conservatives

Bradford City ward councillor Munir Ahmed (pictured) has resigned from the Labour Party to join the Conservatives. He will now take the Conservative Whip and sit as a member of the  Conservative Group in City Hall.

Cllr Ahmed commented:

"Over the past few months, I have become increasingly disillusioned with the policy direction of the Labour Party, both locally and nationally.

"I first took the decision to enter politics because I wanted to help deliver better services for the area in which I live and a better vision for our country. But the Bradford Council Labour Group has no appetite to deliver for local people and the Labour Government has simply run out of ideas

"I therefore concluded it was best for me and in the interests of my constituents that I resign my membership of the Labour Party. However, I am now very proud to be a member of the Conservative Party and look forward to supporting Council Leader Kris Hopkins and my Conservative Group colleagues with their ambitious plans for Bradford district."

Bradford Council leader Cllr Kris Hopkins added:

"I am delighted to welcome Munir to the Conservative benches and believe he will quickly become a very valued member of our team on Bradford Council. His decision to join the Conservatives is clearly a sign that our efforts to make life better for the residents of Bradford district are winning support across former political divides, and this can only be good for local people."

Defection watch: Labour County Councillor joins Lincolnshire Conservatives

Cllr Lindsey Cawrey (member for Lincoln City's Boultham Ward) has announced that she will join the Conservative Group on the County Council with immediate effect.

Cllr. Lindsey Cawrey said:

"I have become disenchanted with the Labour government and I can no longer remain in the Labour Party that I have served for the past six years. It has taken many months to align my conscience with my actions, however, I regret to say that I no longer feel comfortable in a Party led by Gordon Brown.  My decision was based on my inability to reconcile my conscience with the 'leadership' of Gordon Brown, the current government's lack of direction, its lack of positive leadership and its refusal to listen to the people of the country.

"My ideals and principles are now more in-line with the Conservatism of David Cameron.  Therefore, I have made the decision to join the Conservative Party from where I feel better able to serve the best interests of the people of Lincolnshire.

"I shall not be standing again in the County Council seat of Lincoln Boultham at the next County Council election in 2008."

Former Lib Dem Mayor explains her defection to the Conservatives

Aylesbury Town Councillor Denise Summers, who was Mayor until 2005, has joined the Conservative Party. In a statement she released, she explained this decision:

“This was a decision which I thought long and hard about, and I don’t make it lightly. 

"When David Cameron became leader of the Conservatives he described himself as a Liberal Conservative and that's very much how I see myself. But I needed to be convinced that he could change his party, and now I am. This was highlighted at the recent Conservative Party Conference which persuaded me that he is a leader who has changed his party, and will change this country.

"I see these changes at a local level as well, and am deeply impressed by the work which the newly elected Conservatives Cllrs and Conservative campaigners across the town are carrying out. They are putting into action locally, what David Cameron talks about nationally. Initiatives such as litter picks, street surgeries to chat to people, fundraising to provide bikes for our PCSOs, holding Forums to allow people to talk about what matters to them, and actively and vociferously standing up for residents.

Two more Lib Dem councillors join us

More defection news. Two Lib Dem councillors on Shropshire Council have joined the Conservatives. Tony Durnell, borough councillor for Monkmoor, and David Farmer, ward member for Bagley, have both signed up as party members and are expected to stand in their new colours as candidates for Shropshire Council elections in 2009.
Councillor Farmer says:

“I have become disillusioned with the Liberal Democrat party nationally and feel they have lost their way, and I believe the Conservatives are the way forward. I hope my constituents understand the reasons behind my decision – I have always done my best to represent them over the past 14 years and I have voted on the issues and not with the party line. I hope to continue to represent them.”

Councillor Durnell says:

“It would have been against my principles to try getting voted on to the new Shropshire Council as a Liberal Democrat and then join the Conservatives. I believe I’m being fair and honest with everyone doing this now, and I will still be doing everything I can for people in the Monkmoor ward.”

I understand that Daniel Kawczynski, their local Tory MP for Shrewsbury, will formally welcome them into the fold next week.

Harrogate. Con gain overall control as Lib Dem defects

The Conservative have gained overall control of Harrogate Council, it has previously been run as a Conservative minority administration. This has come about as a result of the defection of from the Lib Dems. The Lib Dem defector Cllr John Wren (pictured.)  He represents the Woodfield ward on Harrogate Borough Council and the Bilton Nidd Gorge ward on North Yorkshire County Council.  This is the 5th Lib Dem defector in 5 years - 3 to the Conservatives and two to the Independents. The previous balance of Harrogate Borough Council was 27 Cons, 20 Lib Dems, 7 Independents.  It is now 28 Cons, 19 Lib Dems and 7 Independents.  This is the fewest Lib Dems Councillors on the authority in nearly two decades. North Yorkshire County Council has a large Conservative majority.

Cllr Wren said in his letter of resignation:

"The leadership of the Liberal Democrat Group is more interested in scoring points off the Conservatives than in serving the best interests of the Borough and the well being of constituents is my first priority. I have come to see that the Conservative administration of the Counci are more in tune with this sentiment than the Liberal Democrats ever could be."

Many thanks to Cllr Richard Cooper, Deputy Leader of Harrogate Council, for alerting us to this good news. Please let us know of any wooing of councillors from other parties which comes to fruition which you are involved in.

Defection watch

A new recruit for the Conservatives in Lancashire. Liberal Democrat County Councillor has defected to the Conservatives. County Councillor Norman Abram who represents Preston West Division covering the Lea, Ingol and Cottam had been the Deputy leader of the Lib Dem group but has joined the Conservatives.

County Cllr Norman Abram says: "I have been unhappy for some time as part of a dysfunctional party group with no positive agenda.

"I am conscious that I cannot fully represent, not only the persons who voted for me, but all the residents of Preston West in the present situation. I believe that joining the Conservative Group will give me
the opportunity to work towards getting the best for my area."

Lancashire County Council Conservative Leader Geoff Driver says: "Norman Abram is an experienced hard working Councillor who will be an asset to the Conservative Group and I am delighted to welcome him to our team."

LibDems turning blue in Shepway

The LibDems are in crisis in Kent as just this month Cllr Peter Gane (pictured), Mayor of Folkestone Town Council, and Cllr Susan Wallace have defected from the LibDems to Conservatives.

They're not the first do so: Emily Sanger, Shepway District Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Folkestone Town Council, defected in late June, as did Folkestone Town Councillor Martin Salmon and Shepway District Councillor Anthony Dunning. Shepway District Councillor Susan Ashworth changed sides last September.

The current Shepway Council is now comprised of thirty-nine Conservatives, five LibDems and two "People Firsts" as a result.

William Hague welcomes latest defection from LibDems

The secretary of Wirral South Liberal Democrats was welcomed into the Conservative Party by William Hague last night:

"People are looking for change and they are realising that the only way to achieve that is through the Conservative Party.  Rob Earl is the latest in a long line of former Liberal Democrats coming across to the Conservatives."

Explaining his decision to join the Conservatives, Rob Earl said:

“It is now clear that only the Conservatives can replace this hopeless, dithering Government. I have been impressed by the changes being made to the Conservative Party and, here in Wirral, their refusal to do any kind of secret deal with Labour. Indeed, the decision by the Liberal Democrat councillors in Wirral to prop up this failing, two-star Labour Council was the final straw.  It’s time for change, not ‘more of the same’,” added Rob.

Jeff Clarke, PPC for Wirral South and also a former LibDem PPC, added:

"Today’s Conservative Party is more green; more family-friendly, and more committed to giving power to local people. We are a modern and moderate party that wants to improve the quality of life for everyone and believe in social responsibility, not state control. I’m delighted to welcome Rob and look forward to working with him here in Wirral."

A longstanding Labour councillor in Fleetwood has also defected this week.