Councillor Lynn Jeffries, who resigned from the Labour Party last year, has announced she is joining the Liberal Democrat Group on City of York Council.
Lynn, who currently represents Westfield Ward as an Independent, said she was delighted to join the Lib Dems who were offering the “real alternative to Labour in York”. She resigned from the Labour Group last August saying she was disillusioned with the way they were running the city, opposed their cuts to social care and the lack of genuine consultation, and said that Council Leader James Alexander was more interested in his public profile than representing residents.
Councillor Lynn Jeffries’ commented:
“I have chosen to join the Liberal Democrat Group because I feel they are the real alternative to Labour in York. When Labour closed Beckfield Lane and Burnholme School and when they cut adult social care it was the Lib Dem Group who actually listened to residents and led the opposition. It is also the Lib Dems that are leading the fight against Labour’s plans to rip-up the Green Belt.
“Lib Dem campaigners in Westfield and elsewhere are the ones who are actually working hard for local residents. I feel that joining the Group is the best way for me to represent the people of Westfield and to be able to stand-up for the rights of vulnerable people in York who are suffering the impact of Labour’s cuts.
“I have worked very closely with Keith Aspden on a number of issues and I know he will be an excellent Leader of the Lib Dems.”
Councillor Keith Aspden, who was elected Liberal Democrat Group Leader in York last week, commented:
“I am thrilled that Lynn will be joining the Liberal Democrat Group. She took a brave and principled stand on Labour’s handling of the cuts to social care last year and she has a proven track record as a diligent campaigner on equality issues. She is Chair of York Independent Living Network and her experience and insight on these matters will be invaluable to the Group. We have worked closely with her on many issues in the past few months and she does an excellent job representing Westfield residents. I am looking forward to working with her.”
Lynn will lead on equality issues for the Group and will be nominated to sit on the Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee.