News from Labour Matters

Clegg’s conference rocked by Lib Dem defections to Labour

Nick Clegg has called for unity as the Liberal Democrat conference opens in Liverpool after Lib Dem councillors on three different councils defected to Labour.

Barnsley’s only Liberal Democrat councillor, Sharron Brook, who had represented the town’s Dearne Valley South ward as a Liberal Democrat since 2003, told the BBC that: “I went into a briefing on a white paper for children [as chairman of the council's children's services scrutiny panel]. There was nothing in there for the children of the borough or anywhere else in the country. They are going to put the weakest to the wall. That was the last straw.”

In Solihull, Shirley West Lib Dem councillor Simon Slater has also defected to Labour, telling the local newspaper that:

“I think the people of Shirley West will respect my decision because they voted for the same progressive ideas that I stood for.

“I got into politics to fight for the poorest and most vulnerable members of society – but I can no longer do that as a member of the Liberal Democrats.

“Before the election Nick Clegg talked about not cutting too fast or too deep. But now in government he has betrayed everything he said he believed in and everyone who voted for him.”

Meanwhile in Sheffield the Liberal Democrats are at the brink of losing control of the City Council after councillor Ben Curran swiched to Labour, telling the Sheffield Star:

“I was bitterly disappointed with where the party was going nationally with Nick Clegg and I was also left disillusioned with the lack of resistance shown by the Lib Dems locally to the savage cuts that have hit this city.”

He criticised the Government’s “disgraceful” cancellation of a crucial loan to Sheffield Forgemasters as a major factor in his decision.

Labour leader, Coun Julie Dore, said: “I’m delighted Ben has taken this decision to join the party and he’ll be more than welcome in Sheffield Labour group.”

Read the full article.

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