Another Tory defection as Staffordshire councillor joins Liberal Democrats

A councillor has quit the Conservatives to join the Liberal Democrats, voicing concerns that the party is drifting too far to the right.

Councillor Josh Bancroft represents Cannock Park and Old Fallow ward on Cannock Chase Council.

The news comes just days after former Wolverhampton Conservative MP Jane Stevenson revealed she had joined Reform UK.

Councillor Bancroft, who was first elected in 2022, said his focus would remain on the people he had been elected to represent.

“I will continue to fight and deliver for them, as I have for the last four-and-a-half years,” he said.

“Whilst I thank my former colleagues locally, nationally the Conservative Party has lost its way.

“It is no longer a broad church of ideas, and instead seems determined to chase the chaos of Reform.

“I share the Lib Dem values of being accessible and accountable, and I will continue my focus on the real needs of the people I have been elected to represent.”

Councillor Bancroft will be the sole Liberal Democrat on the authority.

Chairman of West Midlands Liberal Democrats Lee Dargue said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Josh into a strong team. He brings real experience in community

politics, which is an ideal fit for the Liberal Democrats.

“Josh is the latest councillor to see that the Lib Dems are rooted in our communities, putting people first. As a teacher, he spends his working life building opportunity for children from every

background — a core liberal value in practice.

“The Liberal Democrats are not interested in the extremes of left or right, or in fake fights over identity politics. We are proud to work in and for our communities.”