Two Labour councillors defect to Green Party

Councillors Tom Butcher (left) and Repi Begum (right), with new national Green Party leader Zack Polanski

Two Labour councillors have defected to the Green Party, following in the footsteps of a colleague days earlier.

Swindon Borough Council's Tom Butcher and Repi Begum will sit as Greens until the end of their terms in May 2026. Councillor Ian Edwards made the same move last week.

Labour still has 35 councillors, with a majority of 13. But a spokesman for Swindon Labour Group said the news was "hugely disappointing" and that the defectors were "elected by local people to represent them as a Labour voice".

New national Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: "Swindon is a political bellwether, and what we're seeing here is happening across the country."

Mr Polanski continued: "People who believed in Labour's promise of change now see a party that's abandoned its principles.

"They're turning to the Greens because we're the only party offering real hope, real courage, and real solutions for the future."

In a joint statement, Ms Begum and Mr Butcher said: "Whilst our values and beliefs have not changed, unfortunately, Labour has moved away from those values.

"When we have been elected on our values and beliefs in a just and equal world, it's important that we can represent that authentically through a party which best aligns with those values."

Recently elected Green leader Zack Polanski claims his party is offering "real hope"

They said that, under Mr Polanski, they recognise the Green Party's "bold politics" as being "most aligned with what we stand for".

Their move makes the Greens the third largest group in Swindon Borough Council, now with three councillors, up from none just days ago.

The Conservatives are the second largest group, with 16 councillors, and there are two Independents and one Liberal Democrat.

The Swindon Labour Group spokesman said: "If the councillors are so sure that local people want this representation, then they should stand on their convictions and call a by-election.

"Only our Labour council working with a Labour government is driving forward the change working people voted for, to renew our country, keep Britain safe, and make sure people across all corners of our town feel better off."