A CONSERVATIVE councillor has crossed the floor to join Reading’s ruling Labour party.
Cllr David Stevens, who represents Thames ward and is a former borough mayor, is believed to be the first sitting Tory to switch sides.
His move means there are now 30 Labour councillors out of 46 possible seats. There are nine Conservatives, five Green Party seats and two Lib Dems.
In May there will be an all-out election due to boundary changes to wards, and Cllr Stevens had been deselected by the Conservatives.
Cllr Stevens was first elected to the Council, as a Conservative, in 2004 and was mayor from May 2020 to November 2021.
During his time with the Conservatives, he served as the party’s finance spokesperson.
However, his allegiances have changed.
In a statement, he explained that his experiences as Mayor had helped shape his vision of local politics.
“Just six weeks ago I was handing over the chain after an 18-month stint as the town’s mayor, which had been a particularly turbulent time for Reading,” he said.
“During my time in office, I had come to work more closely with many of the Labour councillors. This experience helped confirm that we held in common a fundamental political outlook – that working for the common good of the people of Reading always comes first, and that our town’s success will never be assured until every resident can share in its success.”
He continued: “A week after my mayoral term had ended, the local Conservatives determined that I would not be a candidate at the forthcoming local elections, in large part because I was too keen to take a constructive and collaborative approach in opposition on the Council.
“The truth, of course, is that my style was precisely because my values and Reading Labour’s values were so closely aligned.
“I never sought to be antagonistic in order to simply score political points or seek a partisan advantage – the responsibility that Councillors have for their community is too important for such games.”
READ MORE: Conservatives pay tribute to commitment of Cllr David Stevens
Cllr Stevens said that he was “delighted” to be joining Labour and to be welcomed by councillors he liked and respected.
“I am not making the move to find some transitory new home but, rather, because I endorse the positive and forward-looking vision that Labour has for Reading,” he added. “I am excited, even enthusiastic, to play my part in that endeavour.”
And the leader of Reading Borough Council, Cllr Jason Brock, was also pleased with the news.
“It is clearly a reflection of the confidence and trust that David has in Labour to do right by Reading that he has decided to provide us with the greatest possible endorsement in joining our Group,” he explained.
“I would also say this news is evidence that Labour is on the right track nationally, demonstrating a serious and competent alternative to the Conservatives.
“David was not some marginal figure in the Council’s Opposition but, rather, someone known for his sincere approach to politics as an experienced and thoughtful councillor, and someone who is much respected and admired on all sides of the chamber.”
Cllr Brock added: “We greatly look forward to working with him, and to drawing on his knowledge and talents, as we push forward our programme of investment in Reading and continue to protect vital local services in the face of the Government’s underfunding of councils.”
