Yet another switch for Lib-Dem turned Independent (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Yet another switch for Lib-Dem turned Independent

1:50pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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FOR the third time in little more than three months, a member of Eastleigh Borough Council has changed her political allegiance.

Joyce Sortwell had declared herself to be an Independent after a spat with the Liberal Democrats, which culminated in her leaving the council’s ruling party, and now she has joined the Conservative party.

“This has been a big decision for me and I have thought very deeply about it,” said Mrs Sortwell, whose husband, Graham, also a West End parish councillor and a former Lib- Dem, has joined the Tories, too.

“Since joining the council, I have had the opportunity to work closely with members of all groups and I really admire how dedicated they are to improving services and representing the views of local people,”

she said.

“However, after deep consideration, I now feel that, although I am still very independently-minded, I’m much more in sympathy with the policies advocated by the Conservatives.”

She claims that she was pushed out by council leader, Keith House ,who said the Lib-Dems would not be approving her after she had voted for a Conservative to be chairman of West End Parish Council.

Mr House said he expected Lib-Dems to vote for their colleagues, but he also claimed that the group had thought she did not do enough work in the community.

Mrs Sortwell has been welcomed to her newlyadopted party by northwest Hampshire MP, Sir George Young, and the prospective Conservative election candidate, Maria Hutchings, who said: “She is a diligent, conscientious councillor who is very wellrespected in the West End community. She will be a major asset to the Conservative group on Eastleigh Borough Council.” Tory group leader, Godfrey Olson, said: “I’m really delighted that Joyce has decided to join our group.

She works very hard for the people in West End, as both a borough and parish councillor, and she is well respected by all members of Eastleigh Borough Council.

“I am looking forward to working with her and the contribution that she will make to our team.”

Mrs Sortwell, whose switch leaves the borough with 37 Lib-Dem councillors as against five Tories and two Labour representatives, was heckled by other members at her first council meeting under her new political colours.