Dudley Tories defect to Labour in shock move

Councillor Glenis Simms and Councillor Cheryl Billingham have resigned from the Conservative Party and joined the controlling party at Dudley Council.

The pair were formally welcomed to the party by Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Mary Creagh MP this afternoon.

The pair said the Conservative party no longer represented the working people in Dudley.

Councillor Simms, who represents the Wordsley ward, said: "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."

Councillor Billingham, who represents the Kingswinford North and Wall Heath ward, added: "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."

The move was welcomed by Dudley North's Labour MP Ian Austin.

Mr Austin said: "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."