Mel de Cruz Joins the Liberal Democrats

7.30.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 3rd Jan 2006

Lib Dem County Group Leader Richard Church with Cllr Mel de Cruz - "With the Liberal Democrats I have found my political home." said Mel

Mel de Cruz, County Councillor for Spencer and, until recently a member of Labour's shadow cabinet, has sensationally joined the Liberal Democrats.

Explaining her move she said "Labour Shadow Cabinet meetings became increasingly surreal - totally divorced from reality or from the needs of local people. Nationally, it is only the Liberal Democrats who are opposing Tony Blair's education policies, which will reduce opportunities for many young people, and it is the Liberal Democrats who have consistently opposed the war in Iraq. I was in the wrong party. With the Liberal Democrats I have found my political home. They share my desire to help local people and to enable people to help themselves".

Welcoming Mel de Cruz, the Liberal Democrat County Council Group Leader, Richard Church, said "Mel is a natural community politician. She loves working with people and has a real passion to improve the quality of life of people in Spencer."

Mel's joining the Lib Dems increases Liberal Democrat County Council Group to eight. Richard Church added "the Liberal Democrats have already demonstrated in their opposition to the closure of Roadmender, redundancies at Nordis and threats to Grendon Hall and after school clubs that they are the more effective opposition to the arrogant and uncaring 'slash and burn' Tories.

"Mel brings considerable expertise on children and young peoples' issues. She will greatly strengthen our, already formidable, Group on these vital issues."

Mel de Cruz concluded "The destruction of the Tory's arguments to close Roadmender by the Liberal Democrats compared with the limp and ineffective opposition from Labour finally convinced me that I wanted to be part of the Liberal Democrat team. I have been made very welcome and I look forward to working hard with my new colleagues to improve life for the residents of Spencer, Dallington & Kings Heath and to challenge this arrogant and uncaring Tory administration".

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Spencer Ward details.