[From East Anglian Daily Times]

THE youngest member of Babergh district council has resigned from the Conservatives and joined the Green Party, criticising Tory attitudes to global environmental issues and inaction on local issues.

Dean Walton, who also serves on Sudbury town and Great Cornard parish councils, was elected in 2007 to represent Sudbury East ward. At Babergh, Cllr Walton is currently a member of the Scrutiny Committee, will continue to represent his constituents as an independent, and has applied to join the Independent group on the Council, which has no party in overall control.

He has led the fight against a mobile telephone phone mast beside Great Cornard middle school and opposed short stay car park ticket machines in the district.

He said today: “I have long been attracted by Green Party policies on issues such as climate change, energy efficiency, animal welfare, social equality and our natural environment.

“I have learnt a lot over the last three years and feel it’s time to move to a party that truly represents the way I feel and has a greater willingness to listen to and work with all other councillors.”