A FORMER Conservative mayor of Swindon has joined Labour.

Coun Steve Wakefield (Toothill and Westlea), who was mayor in 2008/09, resigned from the Conservative Party in January saying he was disillusioned with party politics.

He has been an independent councillor ever since but publicly backed South Swindon’s former MP Anne Snelgrove in the general election earlier this year. Announcing he had joined the Labour Party yesterday he said he believed he would be able to serve the people of Toothill in a more effective way.

He said: “I wanted to join a group that would think differently and plan strategically.”

He added that the resignation of Coun Stephanie Exell from the Conservatives a few months ago had highlighted to him what impact the party’s cuts would have.

Labour leader Coun Derique Montaut (Central) welcomed Coun Wakefield, saying he brought a wealth of experience with him.

“His knowledge of housing will particularly be useful for the Labour Group, bearing in mind the housing crisis we are in currently,” he said.