Double defection – Two councillors quit Tories and join Labour

Two councillors have defected from the Tories to Labour in Dudley this evening. Glenis Simms and Cheryl Billingham have resigned from the Conservative Party and joined majority Labour Party on Dudley Council, and were welcomed into the party by Shadow Transport Secretary Mary Creagh as well as local MP Ian Austin.

Simms told the Express and Star:

“People are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet under this Government. Labour seems to be the only party to have a plan to help people with the cost of living. As an ordinary working mother, I no longer feel at home in David Cameron’s Conservative Party.”

Whilst Billingham said:

“The Conservative Party is out of touch and no longer stands up for ordinary hard working people in Dudley. When I first became a Councillor, all I wanted to do was stand up for my local community. Under today’s Leadership I have found that impossible.”

Austin welcomed the double defection, saying:

“I’ve always thought Glenis and Cheryl have done superb work on Dudley Council and I’m delighted to welcome them to the Labour team. They have represented wards in Dudley in seats that will help determine the outcome of next year’s election and this shows that even senior local Conservatives believe that neither the Tory Party nor UKIP have the answers to local people’s concerns.”