4 May 2010

Half the members of Plymouth's Liberal Democrat Executive have defected to Labour only a few days before the General Election.

Local Lib Dem members Jan Mortier, Tom Sale, Max Harding and Dominic House were all members of the Plymouth Lib Dem executive committee. They were the elected vice-chair, membership, data and youth officers. They are switching sides ahead of the General Election as they want to join a 'campaigning party' that is working for social justice.

Jan, Tom, Max and Dominic's short experience of the Lib Dems has not put them off getting involved in politics but they are disillusioned with Nick Clegg's party in Plymouth.

Dominic House said:

"They don't campaign - the party seems to have been run by a very small group of people who aren't interested in improving peoples lives. We want to join a Party that listens to and stands up for people."

Local Labour candidate Linda Gilroy standing in the Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Constituency welcomed the new members into the Labour Party saying:

"We are always very pleased to welcome people into our party who share our values of social justice and progress. We are particularly pleased that these young people want to play an active role in our campaign, to ensure that Plymouth keeps it's strong Labour voice in parliament."

This is not the first time that Plymouth's Liberal Democrats have been rocked. Last year Cowley Street, the Liberal Democrat HQ, suspended the entire party machine in Plymouth due to infighting and accusations and impropriety. The party is still suspended and the Lib Dems' ‘new politics' in Plymouth is being run by its two Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidates rather than its members.

Luke Pollard, Labour's candidate in SW Devon said:

"Whatever their reasons for leaving the Liberal Democrats it is great to have four extra helpers so close to such an important election here in Plymouth. It is a two horse race here in Plymouth between Labour and the Conservatives and this defection just highlights that voting for any other party than Labour will be a vote for the Tories."