Cllr John Whelan, Cllr Evans-Jacas and Streatham Parliamentary Candidate Rahoul Bhansali

A senior Labour councillor who represents the same ward as the Labour Leader of the Council Steve Reed has resigned the Labour Whip and joined the Conservative Group.  Councillor Betty Evans-Jacas, who represents Brixton Hill Ward, is also a Labour nominated member of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and had been a member of the Labour Party for more than a decade.

She said: “I have written to my constituents in Brixton Hill explaining my decision to resign from the Labour Group in Lambeth.  After years of agonising over the failure of the leadership of the Labour Party in Lambeth to listen to the residents, faith organisations, and business of Brixton Hill and Lambeth as a whole, I have decided to become a member of the Conservative Party under David Cameron.  I believe that under his leadership, I will be able to fulfil all of my duties as a Brixton Hill ward councillor and have therefore applied to join the Conservative Group on Lambeth Council.”

Councillor John Whelan, Conservative Group Leader, said:  “We have no hesitation in welcoming Betty to David Cameron’s Conservative Party.  Betty is a woman of great integrity who is respected throughout the borough for her dedication to public service on Lambeth Council where she has been a consistently strong voice for the residents, faith groups, and small businesses of Brixton Hill.  I was privileged to serve with her for two years on the London Fire Authority where she impressed everyone with her concern for the safety of all Londoners.”

Streatham Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Rahoul Bhansali says:  “I look forward to working closely with Betty to fight for the interests of Brixton Hill and all Streatham residents.  Betty’s decision reflects what is happening across the constituency.  More and more voters who I speak to are disillusioned with Labour and see the Conservatives as the viable alternative.”

Clare Whelan with Conservative Party Leader David Cameron — committed to diversity

Lambeth Conservatives are looking for community-minded people to come forward and offer themselves for consideration as potential prospective council candidates.

Recently more than 30 people attended an opening evening at the Town Hall to hear about the work of a councillor and how we campaigning on behalf of local people and the community as a whole.

Cllr Clare Whelan says: “Lambeth Conservatives are interested in bringing in new blood to support our existing team and to extend the Conservative platform in local government to other parts of the borough.

“We are strong supporters of David Cameron’s drive to make the party more representative of our diverse community.”

The video below shows Caroline Spelman, the Conservative Shadow Local Government Secretary, explaining how becoming a Councillor will give you direct involvement in improving your local area.

For more details about becoming a council candidate, contact Clare on clare@clarewhelan.org.uk.