Another day, another Lib Dem defection…

Yesterday the LibDem Group Leader on Sedgemoor Councillor quit and joined the Tories; a pretty impressive move for a group leader in many ways. Apparently he wasn’t happy with the way that the LibDems were moving nationally.

Then Richmond Councillor Marc Cranfield Adams announced he was defecting to the Tories during a full council meeting (what a show off!). And now we hear that Cllr Janet Hedges, of Epping Forest, is Cameron’s newest recruit.

Does all this matter? I used to think not, but a friend of mine pointed out that Thatcher’s political base in 76-79 was built upon defections because people move towards the winners. The Sun is now backing Boris (the first Conservative endorsement since before 1997) and now the Telegraph is openly talking about the first parliamentary defection to the Conservatives (we’ve had a couple of MEPs but no MPs as yet).

Picking off LibDems, who are let’s face it, struggling to say the least, is the easy bit – can Cameron start to lure Labour?

Former LibDem Candidate defects to the Conservatives

The most interesting thing in the decision of one Cllr Sloan, a LibDem Councillor and former parliamentary candidate, to defect to the Conservatives is where he is from.

When a Manchester LibDem Councillor moved over to the Tories recently I said that it made the news because it suggested that Cameron was making moves in our big cities.

Cllr Sloan is from Hull; hardly a Tory stronghold and shows that people across the country are looking again at the Conservatives. I’m glad the people of Hull have a new Conservative representative and I hope Cllr Sloan does them proud and works hard.

Another Con Gain

So despite claiming he quit, it now turns out that Castle Point MP Bob Spink was sacked by the Tory Chief Whip tonight for trying to blackmail the party into saving him from a de-selection vote. Although we are sad that he has done this, it does open another winnable seat up and will join Grantham, Croydon Central and Bexley as definite “Con Gain” seats at the next election.

David Cameron has spoken about wanting a parliamentary party that reflects the country; I wonder if I could, tonuge-in-cheek, suggest that some sitting MPs are doing all they can to give him the chance by vacating their safe seats in new and interesting ways!

Birmingham Labour Councillor defects to the Conservatives

Former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party in Solihull has quit to join David Cameron’s Conservatives. Click here for the local report. This follows on from the decision of a Manchester LibDem Councillor to resign from his party and join the Conservatives.

When asked what he thought of Labour, Councillor Ryan replied: “It’s finished.”

Interesting too is that this Solihull Councillor represents an area in urban Birmingham. When the media talk about the Tory position in Cities and the North, what they often forget is that whilst we may not represent many inner city wards, we do represent vast swathes of these cities and the areas around them. A lot more to do, I grant you, but not as bad as we are often told.

New Year, New Defection

It is clearly great news that a Liberal Democrat Councillor in Manchester has resigned days after Nick Clegg becomes leader and defects to the Conservatives. David Cameron’s appearance to welcome him into the party shows how seriously we are taking both such northern cities and also poaching of LibDems.

Nick Clegg must have been fuming into his cornflakes this morning. Quite frankly he could have done with a defection at the start of his leadership (he may well still have one tucked away somewhere, but that card should have been played by now) but to lose a Councillor from Manchester like this is very embarrasing to him.

Cameron starts the year well (the NHS speech was very good too) and has laid down a marker that he is not willing to ceed ground to Clegg at all.

Regular readers will know I am generally sceptical about defectors, but this one says a lot about Cameron, Clegg and the political battle ahead.

Defectors are as welcome as always!

The news that a LibDem MEP for the North-West of England, and also a Labour Suffolk County Councillor, have both today defected to David Cameron’s Conservatives should be very welcome for the party. It gives Cameron a real roll, as the government decend into choas and the polls shift in the Tory favour it demonstrates that Cam has the big mo’.

However, regular readers will note my general dislike of defectors. I just don’t think you can trust people who one day are slagging off a certain party and campaigning to oust them from politics and are happily handing over their membership cheque the next. Sometimes they look desperate (like former Tory MP Quentin Davies) and sometimes they look careerist (such as the now Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward, who was once Tory MP for Witney). The first defection I can really remember was Emma Nicholson, a Devon MP who quit the Tories for the LibDems. I went on to read her auto-biography and was totally unconvinced. She’s certainly gone further under the LibDems (now a Baroness) than she would have under the Tories (she may just have risen back to rank of Branch Treasurer by now).

So whilst I say welcome to these two gentleman, I think both have a lot to prove … a lot of leaflets that need delivering and a lot of doors need knocking on. But, for now, let’s just enjoy the moment!

Is a City Councillor about to jump ship?

I like to think of myself as being pretty up-to-date with all the events and gossip in City Hall but I was almost shocked to be asked what I knew about rumours of a defection in Norwich.

I have to admit I know nothing, although I know Councillors in all three other groups who are upset with their leadership either locally or nationally. I didn’t know it had come to this though!

I cannot remember the last time any City Councillor switched, but any news would be welcomed!

The Times: Two more Labour defections to the Conservatives in Ealing

According to The Times, a further two Labour councillors have quit to join Tony Lit’s campaign. Tom Watson must be spitting blood tonight and the LibDems will be holding their heads in their hands. Cameron and Shapps are doing a great job and whatever the result, there is no doubt that Lit has the best campaign.

UPDATE: I am grateful to Andrea, as always, who points out that they are Southall residents but former Councillors. The Times doesn’t make that at all clear. Either way, a good catch and will keep the big mo’ with Lit.

Political Tennis

There seems to be real churn at the moment in politics with an MP, several councillors, association officers and activists flying all over the shop. But the most bizarre is that of the sixth Labour Councillor in Ealing Southall – a real ding-dong battle worthy of Wimbledon. Here are the highlights!

A lovely serve by Iain Dale, who announces that a sixth Labour councillor has quit to join the Tories. This, linked with the double Colchester LibDem defection could be match point for Cameron.

Labour campaign manager Tom Watson does a perfect return saying that she hasn’t quit and is ready to take legal action against Dale whom she claims has slurred her. It looks like a spritied fightback…

Then a fantastic backhand return by Iain Dale, saying he has evidence that she was ready to defect and CCHQ claim she has been bullied by Labour into staying put.

I’m glued to my lap-top over how this game ends! 30-15 to Mr Dale so far … I await the return play by Mr Watson.

Two LibDem Councillors defect to the Conservatives

The Conservatives have won overall control of Colchester Borough Council following the defection of two councillors from the LibDems (via a fortnight as Independents). This will come as a blow to local LibDem MP Bob Russell who is doing a good job annoying local people and dividing his party.

Like opinion polls, individual defections mean nothing. It’s the trend that counts.