AN unrepentant Liberal Democrat councillor who defected to the Tories just a week after local elections has broken his silence to defend his decision, which prompted a torrent of anger from former colleagues.
Keith Watson, the 63-year-old member for Greetland and Stainland in Calderdale, is the first Conservative to represent the ward since the council was formed following local government reorganisation in 1974.
At yesterday's annual meeting at Halifa
x town hall former colleagues queued up to pour vitriol on their departed colleague.
Jennifer Pearson (Lib Dem, Warley) said: "There is enormous anger within the branch. We had a meeting on Tuesday night and people were very upset about it.
"Members of the party had put in a lot of work on his behalf and they feel very let down. Nearly all of us have been approached by members of the public who feel betrayed – understandably since it's been a Lib Dem stronghold for over 30 years – and to have that record broken in such a way is a deceit. He desperately wanted to be mayor and didn't win the election, which was won by Conrad Winterburn, so this is just sour grapes on his part.''
Ex-mayor Patrick Phillips, who once represented Greetland and Stainland for the Lib Dems, thought there had been no "overnight conversion''. He said: "I was shocked when I heard the news and feel totally betrayed and I think most of the people of Greetland and Stainland feel the same way. I believe he has been peeved at his lack of standing within the Lib Dem group for some time and the ward association asked for assurances of his commitment to the party before re-selecting him as our candidate this time. He gave us just those assurances.
"I shall be very surprised indeed if he has not done a deal with the Tories by which he will receive some form of advancement in return for his defection.
"It is very sad that the electors of my ward have been deceived in this way when they have soundly rejected every offer from the Conservatives for a Tory councillor for 35 years to have one foisted upon them in this despicable manner.''
Coun Watson said: "I am saddened that it has come to this. I have left some good friends and colleagues behind in the Lib Dems. I don't want to go into details but there was an irreconcilable breakdown – as in a marriage that has gone wrong.
"I have done what I have done and I am getting nothing out of it at all. I understand that it is not ideal timing. I genuinely didn't make the decision during the election period. I took the decision on May 9. I knew a meeting of the full council was coming up and I thought it would be the easiest thing for all concerned.''
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