Councillor defection: people deserve better than Sunderland Labour bickering and backstabbing

Commenting on the defection of Washington West councillor Jimmy Warne from Labour to Independent, Deputy Leader of the opposition Lib Dems on Sunderland Council Heather Fagan said:

"It seems that the discontent about Labour's London and Newcastle HQs imposing a council leader and MP candidate against the wishes of local members has finally reached breaking point.

"We warned that the imposition of Michael Mordey as a Keir Starmer and Kim McGuinness yes man would distract Labour from getting on with the job of running the Council and it seems we were right. 

"Local people suffering from rising Council Tax bills and slashed services deserve better than months of this Sunderland Labour bickering and backstabbing."