Another Tory defects in Cannock Chase

1.45.00pm GMT Thu 4th Feb 2010

Cannock South Councillor Mark Green, has decided to follow the lead of colleagues Councillors Keith and Diane Bennett, by becoming the third Conservative to join the Liberal Democrat group at Cannock Chase District Council.

Mark has provisionally stated that his reasons for leaving the Conservative Group are in fact very similar to those given by his close friends Keith and Diane, both of whom resigned from the Tory party recently, after twenty three years of membership. Understandably this latest development will be of great concern to the leadership of the rapidly dwindling Tory Group, they must be wondering who will be the next to see the light and join the Liberal Democrats.

Mark Said," For the record, I would like to make it clear that my decision to leave the conservative group on Cannock Chase District Council, was arrived at after much careful consideration and was not as a result of any pressure or outside influence whatsoever. I simply became very disillusioned by all the infighting and unreasonable behaviour of some of my former political colleagues, especially as their antics were having a detrimental effect on the good work being undertaken by the current administration in charge of the council. I have admired the manner in which the Liberal Democrats conduct themselves ever since being elected to serve the people of Cannock South at the council, on balance I sincerely believe that they / we have the best ideas and policies to take our area forward. I would also like to assure my constituents that I will continue to represent them to the best of my ability, and would welcome anyone whom may wish to discuss the reasons for my decision in greater depth to get in touch with me."

Council Leader Liberal Democrat Councillor Neil Stanley, said, "It is now clear that the Liberal Democrats are seen to be the progressive party for positive change in the Chase District. We welcome the three former Conservative Members of the Council who have now joined us, and invite others both existing Councillors and potential Councillors to come and join us."