Liberal Democrat District Councillor in Malvern Joins the Conservative Party

A long-standing member of the Liberal Democratic Party at Malvern Hills crossed the floor of the District Council last Friday to join the Conservative Group.
Councillor Pat Mewton was welcomed by Councillor Serena Croad, the leader of the Conservatives on Malvern Hills District Council, and gave three reasons for his crossing the floor:

1. Increases in Council Tax for next year (2007-2008) would be almost totally absorbed by increases in the staff pension bill, and not spent on services to the electorate.

2. The quality of Liberal Democrat leadership has lost the trust of the citizens and taxpayers of the Malvern Hills

3. The Liberal Democrats cannot be trusted with any aspect of the future security of the country.
Councillor Serena Croad, Leader of the Conservative Group, said: “Pat enjoys a reputation as a good community ward Councillor and has represented the residents of Pickersleigh for seven years. We welcome Pat, a former soldier in our armed forces, across to the Conservative Group and he has been selected for the May 2007 District Elections for his local ward in Pickersleigh. He is now a valuable member of a growing Conservative Councillors team and will work with us to take back control of Malvern Hills Disctrict Council in May”.

Pat Mewton added:

“I was naturally disappointed not to be reselected by the Liberal Democrats to contest the Pickersleigh Ward at the next council elections. When I made the decision to contest the seat I had to leave the Party which I was becoming increasingly disillusioned with. However two days after resigning from the Liberal Democrats I was asked by them to contest one of the seats in Priory Ward on their behalf.

After speaking to the Conservative Party Group Leader Serena Croad I was asked to apply to be a candidate for the Conservatives in the Pickersleigh Ward. I am happy to say that they selected me and I will now contest the ward on their behalf.”