Surprise as Labour councillor defects to Tories

Councillor Louise Nixon's defection came as a surprise, according to Labour leader Aidan Godfrey

A Stafford borough councillor has crossed the floor from Labour to join the Conservatives.

Louise Nixon took her seat on the Conservative side of the chamber for the first time at Tuesday’s full council meeting.

She left the council’s Labour group, which currently runs the council after joining forces with Stafford Borough Independents and Green Party members following the local elections last year.

Prior to that, the Conservatives had run the authority for two decades.

Speaking after the meeting, Conservative opposition group leader Jeremy Pert said his party was a very broad church.

“We’re interested in working with people who are strong community champions and Louise is that,” he said.

“She will bring with her knowledge and experience and we look forward to working with her going forward.”

Ms Nixon represents the Coton ward and was first elected to the authority as a Labour representative in 2015.

Her move means the Conservatives now have 15 seats on the borough council and Labour have 12.

There are also seven Stafford Borough Independents, five Green Party members and one Liberal Democrat.

'Many questions'

Council leader, Labour’s Aidan Godfrey, said his party had been surprised by the defection.

“Her email gave no details as to why she was leaving and we still don’t understand her reasoning, although we now believe it has nothing to do with Stafford Borough Council or any local political issues.”

He said Ms Nixon had been very supportive of the new administration's priorities.

“I’m sure the residents of Coton ward, who elected her last year as a Labour candidate, will have many questions to ask her and her new colleagues regarding her decision to join a party they did not vote for,” Mr Godfrey added.

“The Labour Group on Stafford Borough Council has always tried to help Louise and still wish her well, even though we don’t understand her decision.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has approached Ms Nixon for comment.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.