Top Ashfield Labour Councillor Joins The Liberal Democrats

8.15.37pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Jun 2008

The Chairman of Ashfield Labour Council Group, Cllr Christine Wakefield, has joined the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Wakefield, who was a Labour member for over 35 years says she is fed up with Labour policies like the abolition of the 10p tax rate, which has hit many of the poorest people she represents in Sutton. She is also unhappy with Breaston (Derbyshire) based Labour MP Geoff Hoon's failure to stand up for local people over this and other issues.

Cllr Wakefield said "I joined Labour because I thought they were the party that stood up for ordinary hard-working families.

"It is now clear that their policies, like scrapping the 10p tax rate, are really hurting people. With food and fuel bills going up too, many people in Ashfield are really struggling to make ends meet. Most people I speak to, do not think Gordon Brown and Geoff Hoon are delivering for our area.

"However, for the past year I have been impressed with the way the Liberal Democrats have run the local council. They have brought real improvements to Ashfield. Like employing new street cleaning teams to tackle litter and graffiti. Parks are being revamped and there has been a massive increase in recycling, helping our environment.

"The Lib Dems have done more for Ashfield in one year than Labour did for decades.

"I am joining the Lib Dems so I can do my bit to help them keep on improving Ashfield".

"In Ashfield the choice is clear action from the Lib Dems or neglect with Labour."