The Conservative administration at Woking Borough Council received a boost this week after it was announced that a former Lib Dem councillor had switched to the Conservatives ahead of this year’s local elections.
Colin Scott, who was councillor for Old Woking until 2011, said that he felt more at home in the Conservative Party in light of its policies on Council Tax, maintaining frontline services and investing in both the local economy and Woking’s communities.
Colin has been selected by the Conservatives to fight the Constitutional Hill seat of Mount Hermon West as he lives nearby. The party feels that his experience as a councillor would enable him to serve that area well if elected.
“It was a great honour to be elected five years ago to serve the residents of Old Woking,” said Colin. “But it became increasingly clear to me that I was in the wrong party. I saw across the council chamber policies from the Conservatives that I agreed with and yet I was being asked to oppose them.
“Freezing Woking’s share of the Council Tax in 2008, 2011 and 2012 has been a great achievement by the council. It’s really important to me that services be kept going — many of my residents in Old Woking relied on those to get through their daily lives and the Conservatives have kept them going.
“I’ve also been pleased to see the council making good investments in assets, in the local economy and re-building community facilities like Scout Huts and village halls. The Lib Dem leader pledged to oppose and review these policies — I thought that was wrong.
“So I’m delighted to join a party that has delivered good things for this town and that I believe is going in the right direction. I’m going to fight hard in Mount Hermon West to get that message across to residents.”
Conservative group leader Cllr John Kingsbury added: “I’m really pleased that Colin is now a member of our party and will be fighting for us in the coming elections. Woking Conservatives has delivered low Council Tax, retained services and grants to voluntary groups.
“This has been based on sound economic management during tough times and I’m glad that a former Lib Dem councillor has had the courage to join us in the political centre ground when the rest of his local party is drifting further and further to the left.”