Luton Labour councillor defects to the Conservatives

By Jonathan Isaby

One local councillor's defection from earlier in the month which we are yet to note is that of Morel Bernard, a Labour councillor in Luton since 2007.

She served as deputy mayor of the council last year but crossed the floor two weeks ago, after Labour opted against putting her name forward for re-election under their banner next May.

Conservative group leader Michael Garrett accepted that her reasons for crossing the floor were "personal" but says that he is "more than happy" to welcome her to the Tory fold.