Tory Judith Symes 'defects' to Labour

The Conservative General Election candidate in Brighton Kemptown at the last election has defected to Labour.

The announcement was made by Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman at the Labour Party Conference.

Judith Symes with Kemptown's Simon Burgess.

Judith Symes was one of the Tory Party's "A-list", but now says she wants "to keep the Labour Party in government" because of its' record of strength in the economy and investment in public services. Simon Burgess welcomed Judith to Labour saying he was glad she had "come across".

Labour's Chief Whip on Brighton and Hove City Council Warren Morgan added "this shows that Cameron's attempt to modernise the Conservative Party has failed. If Conservative members or councillors sign up to the aims and values of the Labour Party I would welcome them."

Read more on this story in The Argus.