An Independent councillor has dramatically crossed the floor to become a Labour representative.

Grangetown Ward Councillor Adam Brook, on Redcar and Cleveland Council, said the move will enable him to improve his ambitions of improving his local area.

Cllr Brook will serve as a Labour councillor until the next round of local elections when he will then stand as a Labour candidate.

 “I got involved in politics to help improve the area me and my family live and to make a positive difference for my community,” he said.

“I will continue to champion local issues on behalf of Grangetown, putting residents priorities first. After consideration and speaking with my family, I now feel this is best achieved as part of the Labour Party.

“So, I have took the decision to walk the floor and serve as a Labour Councillor until the next set of elections which I intend to stand as part of the Labour Team.”

Cllr Brook’s move was welcomed by local Labour members, who praised his community work as a council representative.

Redcar and Cleveland Labour group leader on the authority, councillor Alec Brown, said:  "As the leader of the Redcar and Cleveland Labour Group, I am delighted to announce that independent Councillor Adam Brook has made the decision to re-join the Labour Party and become a member of the Redcar and Cleveland Labour Group.

“Adam embodies everything we hold dear in the group. His community activism in the Grangetown ward and surrounding areas ticks all the boxes when it comes to delivering Labour values in our communities.

“Adam became disillusioned with the way the Independent Group operated earlier this year, making the decision to leave and I am delighted their loss is our gain."

Local Grangetown Resident Charlie Elcoate added: “Adam has done an excellent job as our local councillor and I think he has real Labour values. I will be voting for him at the next election.”

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