Two Labour councillors defect to the Greens as party enjoys membership surge
The Greens say their membership has doubled since Zack Polanski became leader
Two Labour councillors have defected to the Green Party after their colleague made the same move last week - as new leader Zack Polanski's party surges in popularity.
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Tom Butcher and Repi Begum from Swindon Borough Council will now sit as Greens until the end of their terms in May 2026.
The pair said in a joint statement: "Whilst our values and beliefs have not changed, unfortunately, Labour has moved away from those values.
"When we have been elected on our values and beliefs in a just and equal world, it's important that we can represent that authentically through a party which best aligns with those values."
It comes after Councillor Ian Edwards defected from Labour to the Greens last week.
The move leaves Labour with 35 councillors and a majority of 13.
Read more: Green leader Zack Polanski gloats about potential Labour defections as party enjoys membership surge
A spokesman for Swindon Labour Group described it as "hugely disappointing", adding that the defectors were "elected by local people to represent them as a Labour voice".
Green Party Leader Zack Polanski said: "Swindon is a political bellwether, and what we're seeing here is happening across the country.
"People who believed in Labour's promise of change now see a party that's abandoned its principles."They're turning to the Greens because we're the only party offering real hope, real courage, and real solutions for the future."
Last week, Mr Polanski revealed he has been “talking to Labour MPs about defections” as his party enjoys a membership surge.
In fact, the party says that since the election of its leadership team, its membership has doubled to more than 140,000.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
— The Green Party (@TheGreenParty) October 22, 2025
📈 Since the election of our new leadership team, our membership has doubled, now sitting at more than 140,000.
And this is just the beginning: https://t.co/N7IGRtbLK6 pic.twitter.com/fQdt8Lod8q
Mr Polanski vowed to “replace” the Labour Government when he took over the Party in September this year.
“I talk to Labour MPs all the time,” Mr Polanski told Global's The News Agents, while declining to name any.
Pressed further on whether he has been talking to them about jumping ship, he said: “I’m talking to Labour MPs about defections, yes.”
He refused to say how many Labour MPs he has been discussing that subject with, saying: “I feel like the indiscretion is there and I’m going to just leave it there.”
He has signalled an openness to work with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s new left-wing movement, currently known as Your Party.
One Labour spokesperson downplayed Mr Polanski and his party's recent growth.
They commented “he’s not serious about the serious times we face internationally. He has repeatedly suggested he would back off from Nato – which would leave Britain’s national security exposed at a time when Putin is waging an illegal war in Ukraine.
“And he leads a party that’s Green in name only: plastic progressives who oppose green infrastructure, oppose nuclear, and block housebuilding. Only Labour is focused on tackling the everyday challenges faced by working people.”