Top Liverpool Tory defects to Labour

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

The last Conservative to sit on Liverpool Council has defected to Labour over the level of cuts imposed on the city. According to local website ClickLiverpool, former Tory Steve Fitzsimmons said:

“This is a decision that I’ve made over twelve months of government. The cuts imposed by a conservative led coalition are too heavy and they will be damaging for this city.”

“I feel like the Labour party have changed enough under the great leadership of Joe Anderson for me to be able to work with them enthusiastically. I’ve met with Joe and we both agree on how to help Liverpool recover from the years of Liberal Democrat influence in Liverpool.”

“It’s time for people who have the best interests of the city at heart to work together and not let national party politics hold us back.”

This follows in the wake of a Lib Dem councillor becoming an independent as soon as they were elected, and a senior Lib Dem defecting to Labour.