Another top local Liberal Democrat, Karen Wright, has formally joined the Denton and Reddish Constituency Labour Party today.
Karen, who represented the Audenshaw Ward on Tameside Council for over a decade has now chosen to become Labour’s newest recruit. She has also held several senior posts in the Liberal Democrats, including Lib Dem leader in Tameside, Constituency Party Chair and Parliamentary Agent for Denton and Reddish.
She is now the second high profile politician in a week to leave the failing Denton and Reddish Liberal Democrat party. First it was Paul Moss - their prospective parliamentary candidate - who tore up his Lib Dem membership, and now Karen Wright has chosen to do the same!
Karen Wright said: “I have been thinking about joining the Labour Party in Denton and Reddish for quite a while. I know how hard they work in our communities throughout Tameside and Stockport.”
“The timing of my move was always going to be difficult. Whilst I've always believed in positive campaigning and have no interest in slating my old party, it has become obvious to me that the Lib Dems in Denton and Reddish have become disorganised and are now showing little sign of understanding what local people need.”
“The choice in Reddish North is simple; Labour’s David Wilson, or a Tory who would support savage public service cuts and a Lib Dem standing on a record of ignoring the will of the community. The other parties will use this election to peddle their programme of isolationism, extremism, hate and division.”
Commenting on Karen’s decision, Reddish Labour MP Andrew Gwynne said: “I admire Karen’s courageous and principled decision to join us in the Denton and Reddish Constituency Labour Party. She was a formidable political opponent and I know that her vast experience of community-based campaigning will be an asset to the local Labour Team in Reddish North in the by-election.”
