A long standing Labour councillor has defected to the Liberal Democrats.
Witham town and Braintree district councillor Joy Reekie has decided to resign from the Labour group because the party no longer represents her beliefs.
Mrs Reekie, who was first elected to the former Witham Urban District Council in 1970, said: "For the past two years I have been struggling to reconcile my beliefs, principles and conscience with changes in the Labour Party.
"I have come to realise that the changes are not in me but that the party has moved away from my fundamental beliefs."
Responding to Mrs Reekie's announcement, Liberal Democrat town councillor Barry Fleet said: "I am really pleased that Joy is joining the Liberal Democrat Team.
"She is passionately committed to doing what's right for her local community and is not afraid to speak her mind."
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