Suffolk Tory Councillor joins Lib Dems

3.54.00am GMT Mon 31st Jan 2005

Left to right: Andrew Houseley with County Councillors Les Warmington, Jane Andrews-Smith, Adi Lavender, Kathy Pollard, Inga Lockington, Peter Monk and Dave Wood

Accusing the County's Tories of being "totally out of touch with the people of Suffolk", Jane Andrews-Smith has left the Conservative group on Suffolk County Council to join the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Andrews-Smith said, "I have become increasingly disenchanted with Conservatives policies, or lack of them, both at local and national level. At the same time I have found myself increasingly attracted to the Liberal Democrats. I met Charles Kennedy last year on a visit to Westminster and was impressed by his direct answers to direct questions."

Mrs. Andrews-Smith has launched a scathing attack on the Conservatives' policy of reducing the number of County Councillors in Suffolk from 80 to 75:

"This is a total betrayal of people in rural areas, many of whom already feel very isolated from the seat of power in Ipswich. It is also a cynical attempt at gerrymandering as the Conservative group think it will guarantee them control after the elections in May. This was the final straw for me as I was unable to persuade them to reconsider their complete disregard of the needs of people in rural areas, who will now have fewer representatives."

Cllr Andrews-Smith added, "I am also alarmed at the policy vacuum within the Conservative group, which Suffolk people should be very worried about."

Lib Dem Councillor, Les Warmington said, "We are delighted to welcome Jane into the group. She is a hard working local councillor and is very well though of by her electorate. She will be an asset to the group."