"I believe Croydon Conservatives have ambition for our Town whilst Labour are stuck in the past" says the Conservatives latest recruit.
Councillor Greta Sohoye has announced her resignation from the Labour Group on Croydon Council and said she was delighted to be joining the Conservative group.
Cllr Sohoye, who has represented Bensham Manor Ward since 2002, said that her decision to leave was taken after she listened to a speech by Cllr Gavin Barwell, at the recent Community Cohesion conference.
Speaking about her decision Cllr Sohoye said "I have for some time been considering my position in the Labour Group. I recently attended the Community Cohesion conference at Fairfield Halls and was very impressed with what the Conservatives were doing for minority communities in Croydon. After listening to Gavin Barwells speech I thought "those are my views too".
"I believe the Conservative Party has changed and is a party that welcomes, and provides opportunity, to all sectors of the Community. I contrast this with my own experience within the Labour Group, where ethnic minority councillors are marginalised and mostly ignored by Tony Newman and the leadership team."
Cllr Sohoye also highlighted the Conservative Councils ambition for Croydon. "It is very clear to me that the Conservatives have real plans and the commitment to regenerate the Town. The Labour Group are stuck in the past and have no ideas about how to take Croydon forward. I believe that my constituents in Bensham Manor will benefit greatly from the re-election of a Conservative Council and that is why I have taken this decision after more than 30 years in the Labour Party."
Welcoming Cllr Sohoye to the Conservative Group, Cllr Mike Fisher said "Greta has been a hard working and passionate advocate for her constituents in Bensham Manor. I am pleased that she has joined the Conservative Group and given her support to the work we are doing to further improve the Borough. I think her comments about Tony Newman's leadership raise serious questions about his position as Leader of the Labour Group and his suitability as a potential Council leader."
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