EMLD welcomes news that Senior Labour councillor Brian Haley has defected to the Liberal Democrats

5.00.00pm GMT Tue 19th Jan 2010

Brian Haley has today resigned from the Labour Party and joined the Liberal Democrats after Haringey was rated London's worst council.

Cllr Haley, one of the country's most senior black Labour councillors, had been with the party for 16 years.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Cllr Brian Haley (St Ann's Ward) said:

"Over the last few months it has become ever clearer that Labour has absolutely no vision to lift Haringey out of its current mess. It is for this reason I have taken the difficult decision to leave Labour and join the only party that has the ideas and ability to turn things around.

"The Liberal Democrats in Haringey are the only party with the drive and determination to provide local residents with the quality of service they deserve. I would urge anyone wavering in their support for Labour to join me and back the Liberal Democrats which offers positive local change."