Wealden councillor Christina Coleman defects to Liberal Democrats

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 14:53 · Archive

Councillor Christina Coleman has left the Green Party to join the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Christina Coleman announced her defection from the Green Party to the Liberal Democrats on Thursday, October 29. She represents Maresfield and Buxted at East Sussex County Council and Danehill and Fletching at Wealden District Council, and was a former Green Party parliamentary candidate.

Coleman cited concerns about "the party's direction under Zack Polanski's leadership and the recent conference motion on Zionism" as drivers for her decision. In a statement, she said: "This has been a difficult and deeply personal decision. I remain proud of the values that first brought me into politics, including protecting nature, strengthening communities and standing up for social justice."

She added that joining the Liberal Democrats would allow her to continue delivering for residents while remaining true to her principles. Coleman's defection increases the number of Liberal Democrat councillors at East Sussex County Council from 13 to 14. The remainder comprises 21 Reform councillors, ten Greens, three Conservatives and two independents. At Wealden District Council, her move increases the Liberal Democrats to 12 councillors, with ten Greens, ten Independents, nine Conservatives, two Reform and two Labour councillors remaining.

How it is being reported

• Councillor leaves the Green partyA Wealden district and county councillor has left the Green Party.In an announcement on Thursday (October 29), Cllr Christina Coleman, county councillor for Maresfield and Buxted and a former Green Party parliamentary candidate, confirmed her decision to defect to the Liberal DemocratsThe Argus · 29 Oct, 14:22
• Wealden Green councillor defects to the Liberal DemocratsA Wealden district and county councillor has left the Green Party.Sussex Express · 29 Oct, 13:57

In this story: Christina Coleman · Zack Polanski · Green Party · Liberal Democrats · Wealden District Council · East Sussex County Council · Maresfield and Buxted · Danehill and Fletching

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log