Councillor Greg Stanton has joined the Labour Party, after leaving the Liberal Democrats last month.
Greg Stanton, formerly a Liberal Democrat councillor for Didsbury West, has officially joined the Labour Party and will sit in Manchester City Council as a Labour councillor.
Stanton joining the Labour Party now means that every ward in Manchester City Council now has a Labour representative.
In a letter to his constituents, Stanton commented that Manchester Labour had acted upon every pledge he had committed to at his election, including investing £50m into road repairs, increasing front-line police officers, and bringing forward the most ambitious new home building plan in Europe.
Earlier this month, Keir Starmer was elected the new Leader of the Labour Party. Stanton also commented that Starmer had ensured that the Labour Party had committed to a second referendum during the General Election, where two thirds of Didsbury West residents voted Labour.
Last month Councillor Greg Stanton resigned from the Liberal Democrats, citing differences with the leadership. He is the first Liberal Democrat councillor to join the Labour Party after the leadership election.
Councillor Greg Stanton said: “When I was elected as a councillor to Didsbury West, I stood on pledges to build more social and affordable housing, better funding for the police, fixing our broken roads and demanding a second referendum.
“Manchester Labour have listened and have implemented real steps to address these issues that will really help my constituents.
“It has become clear that not only are Labour the only party able to hold the government to account; they are the only party that are able to implement change locally as well.”
Sir Richard Leese said: “I am delighted to welcome Councillor Stanton into the Labour Party.”
“It is encouraging to see Greg join after witnessing a Labour council implementing radical policies on housing, policing and on roads, and a real testament to the impact the Labour Party has in the city.”
“Now is the time to join the Labour Party, as the only party that is holding the government to account during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.”