Labour 'extremely disappointed' after Brighton councillor defects to Tories

The Labour leader of Brighton & Hove City Council has spoken out as the defection of one of his councillors could cost the party control of the local authority.
Cllr Daniel Yates, leader of the Labour PartyCllr Daniel Yates, leader of the Labour Party
Cllr Daniel Yates, leader of the Labour Party

Cllr Anne Meadows, who represents Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, switched from Labour to the Conservatives this morning (February 20).

This means the Tories have 21 councillors while Labour have 20.

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The Conservatives said the move 'will change the dynamics of how the council will be run until the elections on the May 2'.

Cllr Mary Mears, chairman of the Kemptown Conservatives, with Cllr Anne MeadowsCllr Mary Mears, chairman of the Kemptown Conservatives, with Cllr Anne Meadows
Cllr Mary Mears, chairman of the Kemptown Conservatives, with Cllr Anne Meadows

Prime Minister welcomes Brighton Labour councillor to Conservatives after defectionCllr Daniel Yates, the Labour leader of Brighton and Hoce City Council, said: “We are obviously extremely disappointed by the decision of Cllr Anne Meadows to leave the Labour Party and join the Conservatives.

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"Cllr Meadows has many years of valuable service as a Labour councillor, and most recently as chair of Housing and New Homes committee, and much good work has been achieved since May 2015 which has benefited many in the city.

"We appreciate Cllr Meadows has concerns about some aspects of the direction of the Labour Party, which she has expressed previously.

"However, unfortunately this move at this time will only give support to the Conservative Party when it clearly does not deserve support due to the austerity the Tory government has heaped on residents in our city, and the Brexit chaos it has unleashed on the country.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, criticised the move by Cllr Meadows, and said: "This is nothing but a barefaced career move from Anne, she wasn't selected to be a candidate for Labour at the upcoming election, so she has betrayed the party for her own self preservation."

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A Brighton & Hove City Council spokesperson said: "Councillor Anne Meadows has announced today that she is leaving the Labour Group and joining the Conservative Group. This changes the balance of seats held on the council.

"The current political leadership arrangements continue for now. Under our constitution, any change in leadership can only take effect following a decision at a meeting of the Full Council when all currently elected councillors agree who forms the administration and who is voted to be leader of the council. Councillors decide whether and at which meeting the business is discussed.

"Subject to the will of councillors, the day to day operation of services to the public will remain unchanged in the short term. Council officers will continue to use their delegated powers to ensure a consistent service."