Labour welcomes former Torbay Conservative Councillor's change of heart

Darren Cowell, Torbay Labour councillor welcomed the news that councilor Matthew James has resigned from the Conservative Party.

Cllr Cowell says: "I hope that more Tories will follow Cllr James lead in recognising the harm that this out of touch government are doing to people across the country. I couldn't agree more that the government is putting the wrong people first."

Cllr James says in his resignation statement that he: "…cannot in good conscience defend their actions. The party promised not to balance the budget on the backs of the poor but I feel that that is exactly what is happening. I believe this government has turned its back on the compassionate, communitarian conservatism that was once promised."

Local Labour MP Ben Bradshaw also welcomed Cllr James comments saying: "He is right to stand up for what he believes in. More than ever we need an economy that works for working people. The Tories promised change but have failed to deliver on a massive scale."