Old colleagues question motives as Lib Dem switches to Labour

Coun Maureen Bristow announced on Wednesday that she was leaving the Lib Dems because of their "Tory-style" policies. She said they had misled her over pledges to do more for "working people" in the city, and cited the Lib Dems' alliance with the Conservatives in forming a coalition Government as the final nail in the coffin.

Coun Bristow, who was elected to the council as a Liberal Democrat when the party swept to power in the city in 2007, said: "I did not come into local politics to implement Tory-style policies that hit working people the hardest.

"My family are Labour supporters but I originally believed what the Lib Dems said to me about wanting to improve things for working people in Hull.

"I have not seen much evidence of this since 2007 and I do not believe they mean what they say."

She added: "I approached Labour in Hull because I have been impressed by their track record and I look forward to working as one of them from now on."

Her defection means Labour has made further inroads into the Lib Dems' majority at the council, following two Labour gains in the local elections last month.

The Lib Dems now have 32 seats to Labour's 23.

But the ruling group was quick to respond, and suggested Coun Bristow's change of heart had more to do with her own personal ambitions.

The Lib Dems said in a statement: "We are surprised and disappointed by the behaviour of Coun Bristow, particularly as just a few days ago she was asking Lib Dem colleagues to support her for senior positions on the council, although she was unsuccessful.

"Her motivation is even more surprising given that having discussed the coalition as a group she never once raised any objections."

The Lib Dems also said they had not abandoned their principles by forming a partnership with the Tories and had instead "forced" the Conservatives into concessions.

The statement said: "The Liberal Democrats fought the General Election just as hard against the Conservative Party as it did Labour.

"Mature politics does mean that different parties with different views may, when like now there is a hung Parliament, have to work together.

"It is a pity that the Labour Party walked away from coalition talks purely for their own political advantage.

"By being prepared to work with other parties we have already forced the Conservatives to back down on tax cuts for millionaires, while also bringing forward reforms that will be of great benefit for the people of Hull."

The Hull Labour group could hardly contain its glee at the defection, however.

Deputy group leader, Coun Daren Hale, said: "Maureen has obviously agonised over this decision for some time as she watched principles thrown away by the Lib Dems locally.

"Their alliance with the Tories was the final straw and she knew her fears were correct. The Lib Dims are Tories, especially here in Hull."

Labour group chairman, Coun Steven Bayes, added: "I welcome Maureen's decision to return home and represent working people and their interests again."

The spat rekindled bitter exchanges between the parties' during the General Election count for Hull North.

Labour's Diana Johnson retained the seat after a recount by just 641 votes from Lib Dem candidate Denis Healy – slashing her previous majority of 7,351.