Former Labour Councillor Brian Patton joins Liberal Democrats

Cllr Russell Field welcomes Brian Patton to the Liberal Democrats.

Former Labour Party member and Councillor for Henley Brian Patton has joined the Liberal Democrats.

Brian, who parted company with the Labour Party earlier this year when he was refused the right to stand again in Henley where he had been a Councillor for 11 years, stood as an Independent in the local elections this year and came second to Labour.

Since then he has had time to reflect on the work he had done in Henley Ward and did not just want to walk away. He was approached by Liberal Democrat leader in Coventry, Councillor Russell Field, who is a resident in Henley, and asked if he wanted to continue to work for the people of Henley and Coventry by joining the Liberal Democrats.

Brian said, “I don’t believe that Labour are Labour any more. When I spoke to Russell about what the Liberal Democrats stood for it opened my eyes. Liberal Democrat opposition to the Iraq War, and to Academies, as well as their support locally for a stronger eligibility criteria for Social Services, I realised I agree with them on many issues.”

Brian intends to continue the work he started as a hard working local Councillor in Henley and build up a real opposition to both the local Labour party and the Conservative Council in that area.

Cllr Russell Field said, “As a resident in Henley for a number of years now, I was always impressed by the hard work Brian has done in this area. I was also well aware of the issues he campaigned on in the Council, including his highlighting of issues like care for the elderly. It is a pleasure to welcome Brian into the Liberal Democrats and I look forward to working with him in the future to build the party in Coventry.”