Allow me to introduce myself

By Terry Hipsey

I wanted to write to you and introduce myself. I am Labour’s newest Councillor, and until yesterday evening, I was the Conservative Leader of Thurrock Council.

It is never easy to leave a political party that you have been a member of for a long time, but this last week has shown some of the worst examples of David Cameron’s attempts to respond to the recession. It was a week that meant I could no longer remain a member of the Conservative Party.

I could not justify David Cameron’s decision to make his number one priority in a recession a tax cut, which would give hundreds of thousands of pounds to millionaires, but do nothing for the vast majority of families in Thurrock.

By putting this giveaway to the rich- which could be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds to those who are already millionaires- right at the top of his list of political priorities during this recession, he has shown that he will continue to respond to the recession in a shrill and ideological way.

And by over-ruling members of his Shadow Cabinet, such as Ken Clarke, who initially refused to back his tax cut for millionaires, he has moved the Conservative Party off the centre ground of politics. He would put money in the pocket of millionaires, but would make cuts that could see fewer police on our streets; fewer sure start centres; fewer apprenticeship places and fewer school rebuilding projects. I could no longer remain a member of the Conservative Party that offers such an inadequate response to the recession.

In contrast to the Conservative Party, which would leave families to sink or swim during this downturn, we have, in Gordon Brown, a Prime Minister who has recognised the urgent need to give real help to families now. By leaving the Tories, resigning as Council Leader in Thurrock, and becoming a Labour Councillor, I hope to support the work that Gordon Brown is doing to help families through this recession.

My priorities have not changed. I have always wanted the best for the people of Thurrock. Now I feel that I am in the Party that offers real help to families, not shallow salesmanship.