Southall Labour councillors cross floor

ON 9 July the Conservatives in Ealing, west London, celebrated five leading Labour councillors in Southall defecting to their party. One, Gurcharan Singh, was a member of the cabinet in Ealing when Labour held power and stood as a potential candidate for the Southall seat vacated by Labour MP Piara Khabra's death.

Two independent candidates for the by-election, due on 19 July have stepped down with one calling for votes for Labour while the other is supporting the Tories.

The Tories have targeted Southall and now feel confident of victory.

For Ealing council employees this will be seen as a case of different theatre, same script.

We have seen no significant change in policy since the change in administration. It's still a case of cuts in jobs and services.

The biggest movement in my UNISON branch is for members to leave the Labour Link, there is no support for Labour amongst most members any more.

We need a new party to give a political voice to workers.

Brian Blake, Ealing UNISON service conditions officer (personal capacity)