AN independent councillor who once stood for Parliament as a Lib Dem has now joined the Labour Party.
Beverley Nielsen, a county councillor for the Malvern Langland division, will now sit as a member of the Labour Group at County Hall.
She has been sitting with the Green and Independent Alliance Group since being elected in 2021.
Less than 12 months from the next set of county council elections, the Worcestershire Labour Party has welcomed Cllr Neilsen with open arms.
Cllr Nielsen, who is also a Malvern district councillor, had split from the Liberal Democrats in 2020 over a row over the leadership of the district council.
She had been the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire in the 2019 general election and twice ran for West Midlands mayor as a Lib Dem.
Cllr Nielsen said: “I look forward to working as part of the Labour Party Group, which it’s a privilege to join at Worcestershire County Council.
“I’d like to thank councillors in the Green And Independent Alliance for their warmly welcomed support.
“My priority is of course to continue promoting the interests of my residents in the Great Malvern district council ward and the county council division of Malvern Langland and to continue supporting the work of the Independent Group at District Council.”
READ MORE: Councillors call for Beverley Nielsen to lose portfolio role
Councillor Richard Udall, chair of the Worcestershire Labour Party, welcomed her decision.
“We are delighted that Beverley has decided to join us, we know there is a growing support for Labour in Malvern, the residents of Langland and the wider Malvern area now have a Labour County Councillor who will represent them at County Hall.
“The recent general election has shown people have confidence in Labour and are looking for change.
“We believe we can offer a real alternative and a fresh start after years of tired Tory control at County Hall.
“I’m confident that Beverley, who has an excellent record representing her residents and has a reputation for getting things done, will be a positive addition to our campaign for real and progressive change at Worcestershire County Council.”
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