Town sees fourth councillor defect to Greens

A fourth Labour councillor has defected to the Green Party in one town in just over a month.

Swindon Borough Council's Rob Heath, who represents Priory Vale, said his values were no longer represented by the Labour party.

Mr Heath's colleagues Tom Butcher, Ian Edwards and Repi Begum defected in October.

Council leader Jim Robbins said he was "disappointed" by the decision but said Labour would continue "to build a fairer, greener and better Swindon".

Mr Robbins added: "We understand the desire to retreat to the easy world of opposition where you duck the tough decisions and bask in populism, but we know that we need to make the decisions that will lead to the reinvention of the town."

Explaining his reasons for leaving Labour, Mr Heath said: "Recent decisions, such as removing the Winter Fuel Allowance and adopting rhetoric on immigration aimed at appealing to Reform Party voters means it no longer reflects the values that first brought me into Labour."

Green group leader Mr Butcher said: "We're really pleased to have Rob join us, having only recently formed our group and already increasing our numbers."

The defections make the Greens the third largest group in Swindon Borough Council.

Labour still has 34 councillors, with a majority of 12.

The Conservatives are the second largest group, with 16 councillors, and there are two independents and one Liberal Democrat.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.