Balsall Heath Labour councillor quits the Labour party - and joins the Conservatives

Former Labour Councillor Cllr Zhor Malik, the Local Councillor for Balsall Heath West, crossed the floor to join the Conservative Group.

Cllr Malik has decided to make the move after four decades of being a Labour Party Member.

He has served as a Birmingham City Councillor for four years.

Speaking about his decision he said “After 40 years of being a Labour Party Member and almost 4 years as Councillor I have taken the decision to leave the Labour Party and join the Conservatives as I believe it is their positive vision for Balsall Heath West and Birmingham that will benefit my residents the most.

“This was not an easy decision to make, but for the last decade Labour have run our local communities into the ground.

“Time after time I have spoken out to call for cleaner streets, protection of green spaces and more investment into the roads of Balsall Heath West for them to have been ignored by this Labour administration.

“It is clear that Labour only care about their inner-city wards and clinging onto power at the expensive of many Birmingham residents.”

Cllr Robert Alden, who leads the Conservative Group on Birmingham City Council welcomed Cllr Malik saying “For too long Birmingham Labour have allowed rubbish to build on our streets, threatened our much needed green spaces with building over and increased Council Tax by almost £500 per a household.

“We put forward an alternative budget to get our streets cleaned and we welcome Cllr Malik putting Balsall Heath West residents first by joining the Conservative Group and backing our vision for a cleaner city”.

The defection sets the tone for the May all out elections in Birmingham. Labour could lose control if they lose 14 Labour seats.

Cllr Robert Alden added: “The message is clear, people are fed up with a decade of Labour failing to get the basics right like cleaning our streets and fixing our potholes.”

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