BCP Council leader has described a party switch by a Poole councillor as disappointing.
Councillor Rachel Pattinson-West has left the Liberal Democrats to join the Green Party, becoming its first councillor in Poole, while continuing to represent the Alderney and Bourne Valley ward and pointing to her ongoing focus on protecting heathland, improving safety for children travelling to school, and supporting funding bids to address local flooding risks.
Council leader Millie Earl said it was disappointing that Councillor Pattinson-West had chosen to join the Greens, adding that the Three Towns Alliance was delivering on commitments made to residents at the last election and arguing that, at a local level, the Liberal Democrats were the main party standing against Reform in council by-elections.
In a statement, Councillor Pattinson-West said her decision was driven by what she described as real hope for a better future, explaining that she wanted to be part of building a fairer society and expressing concern about how vulnerable people were being treated within current political debates.
Green group leader Councillor Chris Rigby said the move signalled that some councillors were seeking a different direction in local politics, noting that he had worked with Councillor Pattinson-West since they were first elected in twenty nineteen and that she would continue to focus on representing residents in Poole.
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