Major setback for Keir Starmer as councillor switches to Tories over winter fuel payment cuts

A Labour councillor has made a surprising decision to leave the Labour Party and join the Conservatives, which has caused Labour to lose its majority on the council.

This unexpected move has created a major setback for Labour leader Keir Starmer and has highlighted growing tensions within the party.

The defection happened in Nuneaton, where Labour had only just gained control of the council earlier this year by one seat.

Councillor Will Markham, who represents the Bedworth Heath ward, decided to switch sides because he felt Labour was no longer acting in the best interests of local residents.

Instead, he accused his former colleagues of focusing on their own agendas and ignoring community concerns.

Markham explained that he had been pushed aside within the Labour group because he spoke out against decisions he didn’t agree with.

He said he was not given the freedom to vote on issues that mattered to his community, like the Bulkington streetlights, councillor allowances, and planning disputes.

He also claimed that Bedworth councillors were being treated unfairly within the Labour Party, with some even being told they couldn’t represent their residents at planning meetings.

Markham pointed out that the Conservatives had previously done a great job bringing regeneration funds to Bedworth, and he felt they would give him more support to serve his residents effectively.

He added that Labour’s leadership at both the local and national level was failing to address important issues.

The Conservatives were quick to welcome Markham. Local Tory leader Kris Wilson said that the decision couldn’t have been easy for him but praised Markham for putting his community first.

Wilson accused Labour of creating confusion and problems for residents and said the Conservatives were the better choice for standing up for Bedworth.

Markham’s decision was linked to wider dissatisfaction with Labour’s recent policies, including cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment and changes to taxes that affected farmers in the area.

These issues have reportedly angered local residents, particularly in Warwickshire, where many farming families have felt let down.

The Labour Party was caught off guard by Markham’s defection and hasn’t released a statement yet.

This development adds to a series of setbacks for Keir Starmer, as Labour has been losing council seats since the July elections.

Data shows that Labour has lost nearly a quarter of the council seats they’ve contested in by-elections, while the Conservatives have gained most of them.

For Labour, this defection is a significant blow, both symbolically and practically, as it highlights divisions within the party and raises questions about their ability to maintain support in key areas.

For the Conservatives, it’s a victory that strengthens their position and allows them to claim they are better at representing the needs of local communities.