Councillor Paul Fisher has resigned from Labour and joined the Conservative Group on Westminster City Council, saying he believes Labour is failing Westminster and the country. The Conservatives are the only party listening to voters’ real concerns.
Speaking to his new colleagues, Cllr Fisher said,
“I am joining the Conservative Party for three reasons: Stagnation, Sadiq and Security. Under a Labour government, our country is being pushed into economic stagnation with a tax on jobs stifling economic growth. Labour’s “solution” to Britain’s problems is to tax, spend and borrow its way to prosperity. As Mayor, Sadiq Khan has failed London. He is more focused on vanity projects such as Oxford Street pedestrianisation than addressing crime and the very real fears that many local people have about their safety and security.”
Cllr Paul Swaddle, Leader of the City of Westminster Conservative Group, was delighted to welcome Cllr Fisher to the Conservative benches on Thursday evening, following formal admission by a vote of the existing Conservative councillors and an official notification being sent to the local authority’s Chief Executive.
“Cllr Fisher has won the respect of Conservative Councillors across the usual party divides and has shown himself to be an intelligent, diligent and highly capable councillor.
“With our three by-election victories since the General Election, we have seen the huge number of local residents who, like Cllr Fisher, are upset and angry at Labour’s failings here in Westminster and across the country. We are looking forward to the local elections next year as our opportunity to retake control of the council and address those legitimate concerns.”
Cllr Fisher, an experienced commercial barrister, was elected for West End Ward in 2022. The Conservatives won a by-election in West End Ward in September 2024, which saw the return of former Councillor, Timothy Barnes. Labour retains the third seat in the ward.
“It’s wonderful to be able to welcome a new colleague to our West End Conservatives team,” said Cllr Barnes, Deputy Group Leader. “I have seen Paul’s professionalism and dedication up close and heard from local residents who hold him in high regard. We will make a strong team here in the West End to support residents now and in the future.”
Cllr Fisher concluded,
“I am disappointed that the Labour Party I have worked hard for over many years is not delivering solutions to the problems we all face. The Conservative Party in Westminster has shown me they are listening, and they have a passion for finding pragmatic answers to the problems of our City. As a Conservative, I will hold Labour to account.”
