Former Labour turned independent councillor joins the Green Party

Former Labour turned independent councillor Jimmy Shannon has joined the Green Party.

The defection comes as the party recently broke the 1,100 local membership total and nationally exceeded 226,000 members. In Cheshire West and Chester, the party is looking to make significant gains in the next local elections. These will take place in 2027. The focus will then turn toward the next General Election in 2029.

Shannon has been working closely with the other Green councillors in the borough as part of the former Green Independent Alliance.

Announcing the defection, local chair, Nick Brown said:

Jimmy is the first standing councillor in Cheshire to switch to the Green Party, but he may not be the last. This shift shows that the momentum is building both locally and nationally and more breakthroughs will follow.

Jimmy is a true union man and an outstanding representative for his local community. We welcome him into the party with open arms.

He will be working with our other Whitby Councillor, John Roach to really develop the party across the Ellesmere Port area.

Shannon said:

For me it is business as usual, putting the people of Whitby Groves first. I have joined a party that aligns with my core beliefs and clearly puts people and this planet first – by tackling crippling
inequality, protecting public services, access to affordable, safe housing and safeguarding the future of our environment.

I will continue to fight along side my fellow Green councillors for the interests of those living in Whitby Groves, and more widely across Cheshire West, to get the changes we desperately need.

Amongst his other priorities, Shannon is working alongside Green councillor John Roach to take an active role in the Stanlow Pollution Watch campaign to address resident concerns about the chemical pollution coming from the Stanlow sites.

Featured image supplied