Conservative councillor defects to Green Party

Becky Davidson (centre) pictured with Green councillors Hema YellaPragada and Will Roberts.

A councillor has boosted the number of Green Party members on a district council after switching her allegiance from the Conservatives.

Becky Davidson has represented the Radford Semele ward on Warwick District Council since May 2023, when she was among 44 councillors elected.

But she believes her values are "much more aligned" with the Greens rather than the national Conservative party, which she said had "made poor decisions".

The Green Party now has 15 members on the authority and remains the largest party on the council, which it leads jointly with the Labour group.

"Over the past year, I’ve realised that my values don’t align with my previous party as I once thought they did," said Ms Davidson.

"The national party have continuously made poor decisions on many issues and policies that I can no longer defend."

Ms Davidson said she got into politics to "make a difference to my local community".

"I believe I can achieve more for my ward with the support of the local Green Party, with whom, after many shared council meetings, I have come to see my values are much more aligned," she added.

Ms Davidson said she had not taken the decision lightly and realised Conservative party supporters may be disappointed.

“I wish to reassure all residents within my ward that I will continue to work hard for the communities I represent," she said.

Council leader Ian Davison said the councillor was passionate about her community and "determined to do the right thing for her constituents, regardless of party politics".