Former Green mayor of Malton defects to Liberal Democrats

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 31 Oct, 23:56 · Archive

Ian Conlan, former Green Party Mayor of Malton, has defected to the Liberal Democrats and will stand in the 2027 North Yorkshire Council elections.

Ian Conlan, former Mayor of Malton, has defected from the Green Party to the Liberal Democrats and will stand as a candidate in the May 2027 North Yorkshire Council elections.

The Liberal Democrats are currently the largest opposition group on North Yorkshire Council, which is led by the Conservatives. The council has 90 councillors with no group holding an overall majority. The Conservative and Independents group holds 44 seats, the Liberal Democrats and Liberals 14, Labour 10, the Greens and Independents eight, North Yorkshire Independents seven, Reform UK five, and two councillors are unaffiliated.

Conlan said he brings experience of local government and environmental campaigning to the party. He has been involved in initiatives including the county's 20's Plenty campaign and worked during his mayoral term to deliver greener policies and strengthen local democracy.

Conlan stated that the Liberal Democrats offer 'a practical, sustained approach to environmental policy, backed by strong local teams, community involvement and a proven track record of delivering change'. He said they champion local accountability and empower communities, contrasting this with what he described as the Greens' centralised structures. He highlighted the Lib Dems' opportunities to deliver 'fairer school transport, better active travel policies and greater community influence over planning decisions'.

Conlan also expressed frustration with his former party, saying: 'I have been frustrated by the direction of the Green Party of late; it's simply not the caring party I joined in 2015.' The Lib Dems are campaigning to take control of the council in next year's elections.

How it is being reported

• Former Green mayor defects to Lib Dems ahead of local elections in North YorkshireLiberal Democrats on North Yorkshire Council say they are aiming to take control of the authority in next May's elections as they welcomed a former Green Party mayor into their ranks.The Press (York) · 31 Oct, 17:30
• Former Green mayor defects to Lib Dems ahead of local elections in North YorkshireLiberal Democrats on North Yorkshire Council say they are aiming to take control of the authority in next May's elections as they welcomed a former Green Party mayor into their ranks.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 31 Oct, 17:30
• Former Green Party North Yorkshire mayor defects to Liberal DemocratsA FORMER mayor of a North Yorkshire town has defected parties announcing plans to stand in next year's local elections.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 30 Oct, 11:18
• Former Green Party North Yorkshire mayor defects to Liberal DemocratsA FORMER mayor of a North Yorkshire town has defected parties announcing plans to stand in next year's local elections.York Press · 30 Oct, 11:18

In this story: Ian Conlan · Green Party · Liberal Democrats · Malton · North Yorkshire Council · North Yorkshire

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