Wealden councillor switches parties

A Wealden district and county councillor has left the Green Party.

In an announcement on Thursday (October 29), Cllr Christina Coleman, county councillor for Maresfield and Buxted and a former Green Party parliamentary candidate, confirmed her decision to defect to the Liberal Democrats

A press release, issued by the Lib Dems, said Cllr Coleman’s decision had been driven by concerns about “the party’s direction under Zack Polanski’s leadership and the recent conference motion on Zionism.”

In the release, Cllr Coleman, also Wealden district councillor for Danehill and Fletching, said:  “This has been a difficult and deeply personal decision. I remain proud of the values that first brought me into politics, including protecting nature, strengthening communities and standing up for social justice. 

“However, I no longer feel able to represent the Green Party in good conscience following recent developments within the party. Joining the Liberal Democrats will allow me to continue delivering for residents while remaining true to the principles that matter most to me. 

“My focus remains unchanged: protecting our communities, restoring nature and working constructively with anyone who shares those goals.”

Cllr Coleman’s defection increases the number of Liberal Democrat councillors at East Sussex County Council to 14. The rest of the council is now made up of: 21 Reform councillors; 10 Greens; three Conservatives; and two independents.  

On Wealden District Council, Cllr Coleman’s defection increases the number of Lib Dems to 12. The rest of the council is made up of: 10 Greens; 10 Independents; nine Conservatives; two Reform councillors; and two Labour councillors. 

Wealden District Council is controlled by the Alliance for Wealden, which comprises members of the Greens, Labour, Liberal Democrats and one independent.

Last week, Wealden District Council’s Green Group published an open letter saying it ‘does not support’ the policy motion passed at the party’s national conference.

Within the open letter, a spokesman for the council’s Green group said: “We recognise this is a deeply sensitive and complex issue and that many people, including but not only in Jewish communities, feel worried and hurt. We take that pain seriously. Many of us have already expressed our own feelings about the policy and our party allows us to do this. 

“We are absolutely clear that the Green Party stands firmly against antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism and hatred. 

“Everyone in Wealden deserves to feel safe, respected and included, and we will do all we can to make that so.”

The full open letter, which can be found on the group’s website, says the comments had been prompted by an ‘ultimatum’ from the national Labour Party to end council power-sharing with Green councillors who did not disown the policy.

Wealden’s Liberal Democrat group issued its own statement following publication of the open, confirming its intention to maintain power-sharing arrangements. 

In it, a Lib Dem spokesman said: “Our Green councillor colleagues in Wealden have said that they do not support the motion and that those of them present at the conference voted against it. 

“They have said, and we are sure, that they are as committed as we are to ensuring our actions on the council keep Wealden an inclusive, safe, and welcoming place for everyone.”

The spokesman added: “Working with people across our community, we will stay focused on delivering for businesses and residents by providing the services they need and investing in the district. 

“We will not be diverted from this by getting involved in an argument which, though important, is not relevant to the council’s affairs.”

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