Labour members defect to the Liberal Democrats in Birmingham

10.00.00pm GMT Sun 9th Jan 2005

Hodge Hill Liberal Democrats new recruits being welcomed to the Party

Last night I attended the welcome meeting for a number of high-profile defectors from the Labour Party to the Liberal Democrats. The meeting was attended by the six defectors, Nicola Davies - Parliamentary Candidate for Birmingham Hodge Hill, Washwood Heath Councillor Tariq Khan, Talib Hussain Parliamentary Candidate for Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath as well as many others.

I met with the defectors and welcomed them as a member of the Regional Executive. Having spoken to them I am convinced that they have made the right decision and Labour is at risk of losing many more of their members if they continue governing as what is effectively a watered down Conservative Party.