Defection roundup

Posted by David Boothroyd
View David's blog
16 years ago / June 27, 2008

A mass defection of three Independent councillors has given the Conservatives an overall majority in Richmondshire district council, North Yorkshire.

Other changes noted recently: Mark Horn, councillor for Bourne Abbey division on Lincolnshire county council, has left the Conservative group to sit as an Independent; Enid Paylor, recently elected as an Independent in Aycliffe West ward of Durham unitary authority and also sitting for Aycliffe West ward on Sedgefield district council, has joined the Labour Party; and husband-and-wife team Bob and Penny Hedgeland who both sit for Leatherhead North ward on Mole Valley district council, have left the Liberal Democrats and set up the Leatherhead Independent group.

Although unconfirmed as yet, the East London Advertiser has reported on a rumour circulating for some weeks that the remaining three Respect – the Unity Coalition (Socialist Workers Party allied) councillors on Tower Hamlets borough council, together with one Respect Renewal councillor (George Galloway allied), are about to join the Labour Party.