Former Liberal Democrat Cllr Aron Thornley joins Stockport Labour
Stockport Labour has announced that Cllr Aron Thornley, formerly of the Liberal Democrats, has joined the Labour Party and will now sit as a Labour member on Stockport Council.
This means Stockport Labour now has 23 councillors on Stockport Council, increasing its overall share of seats, and remains the second largest group on the Council. It also means that Stockport Labour now has its first ever Councillor in Marple – formerly a Liberal Democrat stronghold. This builds on a strong set of results for Labour across Stockport at the recent General Election and local council elections.
Following the announcement, Cllr David Meller, Leader of Stockport Labour Group, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Aron to the Labour Party and to Stockport Labour.
“I know Aron has thought very deeply about this decision and just like voters across the country did in May, Aron has put his trust in the Labour Party and Keir Starmer to deliver the change our country so desperately needs after 14 painful years of the Conservatives in power.
“Aron has a strong track record as a local councillor. He is a man rooted in his community and has acted as a strong champion for residents and community groups. He will fit right in with the values and ethos of the Stockport Labour Group.”
Cllr Meller added:
“We’ve seen how Labour is growing across Hazel Grove constituency, as our recent General Election result shows by coming a clear second for the first time in living memory.
“We now have seven councillors across Hazel Grove constituency and our first in Marple. The message to everyone is clear: if you want change in Stockport, vote Labour.
“Stockport Labour is the only group on Stockport Council to have councillors across all three constituencies, making us the truly representative Stopfordian voice on this council. Aron will only add to that voice and make it stronger.”
Cllr Thornley was first elected in 2019 and has an excellent track record of working for residents in Marple South and High Lane with a particular interest in the way that people work together to make communities better for everyone. This includes his work with various local interest groups and residents groups in Marple and High Lane, including his support for the Marple Vision team, Marple Fest, Marple Youth Project, High Lane Village Neighbourhood Forum and alongside the Community Speedwatch Team in High Lane.
On joining Stockport Labour, Cllr Thornley said:
“I’m very pleased to have joined the Labour Party and Stockport Labour. I look forward to working with my Labour colleagues to address fundamental issues around housing, inequality and having a council that gets the basics right.
“The privilege to serve my local community will always be the most important part of my work as a councillor and I will continue to support my fellow councillors in Marple South and High Lane to work towards the changes that our residents want to see.
“Joining a new team of councillors across the Hazel Grove Constituency area will give me the opportunity to share ideas and reflect on some of the work that other Labour councillors are doing locally and their support of my work in Marple South and High Lane will be greatly appreciated.”