Amid all the elections it is important not to forget changes of party allegiance of which there are five to report. On Stoke-on-Trent city council, following Joan Bell’s switch last week from Labour to non-aligned, two more Labour councillors have followed the same way. Dave Conway and Joy Garner both represent Burslem North ward.
On Newcastle-upon-Tyne city council, Derek Malcolm (Elswick ward) has left the Labour group to sit as an Independent. On Stockport borough council, Ann Graham (Reddish North ward) has left the Labour group to join the Liberal Democrats. However on Angus council, Peter Neild (Arbroath West and Letham ward) has left the Liberal Democrats to sit as an Independent, citing the party’s failure to discipline MSPs who claimed for Remembrance day poppies on expenses.
Stoke-on-Trent city council has also elected a new leadership to take over now that the directly-elected Mayor post is no more. Ross Irving, leader of the Conservative and Independent Alliance Group on the council, will be the leader; he is likely to form an all party executive.
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