BURY North MP James Daly has responded to the “beyond disappointing news” that Christian Wakeford has joined the Labour Party.

The news broke earlier today that Bury South MP Christian Wakeford has resigned as a Conservative MP and defected to the Labour Party.

He had earlier issuing a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister Boris Johnson by writing to the Conservatives' 1922 Committee.

In his letter declaring his resignation, Mr Wakeford wrote: “”I care passionately about the people of Bury South and I have concluded that the policies of the Conservative government led by Boris Johnson are doing nothing to help the people of the constituency and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.”

Mr Daly said: “”I am beyond disappointed in Christian Wakeford, after he has been elected as a Conservative MP, has now defected to another political party.

“Christian has thrown his lot in with a council that supports Clean Air Zones and wants to build all over Bury’s beautiful green belt, and not invested properly in Bury South at all.

“The voters of Bury South have been done a great disservice, but I will keep on fighting for my constituents to make sure their needs are met and can assure them I will always represent them on the issues that matter to them.”

And former Conservative councillor David Silbiger said: “”I feel betrayed, I feel the party has been completely stabbed in the back.

“After everything the Conservative Party has done for Mr Wakeford, spending a lot of money to get him elected in this constituency.

“It comes as a great disappointment. If he had stepped down as an MP altogether, that would be one thing, but it is disgraceful to betray the party that has made him everything that he is.”

While local Conservative politicians expressed disappointment, several Labour councillors welcomed the news.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Bury Council leader said: ‘We are pleased to welcome Christian to Bury Labour Party.

“His defection is a damning indictment of a Tory government and a hapless prime minister.”

Cllr Tamoor Tariq, deputy leader of Bury Council, added: “This is an extraordinary turn of events, a great day for the people of Bury South and I am sure he will do a splendid job.

“I look forward to working very closely with him and this just goes to show that this Prime Minister is not only losing the support of voters, but his own MPs as well.

“We welcome him to the Labour Party and I am very pleased and I know he will do great work for the people of the area.”

Cllr Shaheena Haroon, Deputy Mayor, said: “I am very glad he has joined the Labour Party.

“We extend a warm welcome to him.”