In an official statement released today (June 25), Cllr Liam Shrivastava of New Cross Gate ward in Lewisham announced his departure after being a member of the party for 10 years.
Cllr Shrivastava accused the Labour government of abandoning working people “in service of wealthy donors, corporate lobbyists and private equity firms”, and said he had decided to join the Green Party as it “stands up for ordinary people”.
A spokesperson for the Lewisham Labour Group told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “It is disappointing that Cllr Shrivastava has chosen to leave the Labour Party and join the Green Party.
“Residents of New Cross Gate ward, who elected two Labour councillors in 2022, will rightly feel let down by his decision. Cllr Shrivastava should consider the views of these residents and resign as a councillor, allowing the people of New Cross Gate to decide which party they want to represent them.”
The LDRS has also contacted the Labour Party’s London Regional office for comment.
Commenting on his defection, Cllr Shrivastava said: “Labour under Keir Starmer has cut winter fuel payments, rowed back on net zero, tried to slash welfare for disabled people, ramped up deportations and refused to scrap the two-child benefit cap, taking the whip from the seven MPs who took a moral stand against its shameful decision.”
He later told the LDRS: “I am delighted to have joined the Green Party today – a party with a progressive vision committed to tackling the climate crisis and standing up for the vulnerable – something Labour is failing to do with its anti-immigrant policies and shameful welfare cuts.”
Cllr Shrivastava said Lewisham Labour had created a “climate of fear” where councillors “avoid speaking out”, and accused the local group and the wider party of having “lost its moral compass”.
Cllr Shrivastava will join Cllr Hau-Yu Tam of Evelyn ward who defected from Lewisham Labour to the Greens in March 2025. The number of Green councillors serving the borough now stands at two.
The LDRS understands Cllr Shrivastava is also set to become the leader of the Lewisham Green Party.
He went on to say: “I seconded a motion committing the council to divest its pensions investments away from Israel, I received an official warning from the Chief Whip. When I and other councillors raised concerns over the Head of Law’s changing of the constitution and allegations of union busting we were ignored.
“My concerns about the council’s engagement with a controversial church, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, were largely dismissed by the leadership, with the Mayor saying I was uncomradely’, threatening disciplinary action.”
A Lewisham Labour spokesperson said: “The Labour Party in Lewisham remains fully focused on delivering for residents and working with the Labour Mayor of London and the Labour Government to secure the progress our borough deserves—especially after 14 years of damaging Conservative rule.”
Haringey councillor, Mark Blake also defected to the Greens on Wednesday, stating “the country needs a progressive alternative willing to counter the racist narrative driving us towards a far right government”.
Green London Assembly Member, Zoë Garbett said: “Mark and Liam are committed, experienced local councillors and I’m so pleased to be able to welcome them into the Green Party, where I know they’ll be able to continue their work supporting their residents and creating real, positive change for our communities.”
