Party news release:

As David Cameron prepares to speak at the party’s conference, father and daughter Councillors Gordon and Lynn Murray, who represent the neighbouring wards of Dalton South and Dalton North on Barrow Borough Council, are today leaving the Conservatives to become the first ever Liberal Democrat Councillors on Barrow Council.

Councillor Lynn Murray said:

“We are joining the Liberal Democrats because they are an open, modern and welcoming party where we will be encouraged to speak out for the residents of our area and where we can be fully involved in forming and deciding party policies at all levels. A growing team of Liberal Democrats are out there fighting for local issues, for local people and for local communities. We join that growing team.

“We hope the Furness people recognise that in taking this bold step we can break the mould of local politics, bring in cooperation and take out constant confrontation. This will be better for our politicians, and most of all, better for our people.”

Chair of the North West of England Liberal Democrats, Councillor Gill Gardiner added: 

“I am pleased that Councillors Lynn and Gordon Murray have chosen to join the Liberal Democrats today. We have been a one member, one vote party for many years where people are encouraged to have their say. I know that they will feel at home with us.

“We, as Liberal Democrats, have doubled our number of MPs and our number of MEPs in the last three years in the North West region. Tim Farron’s spectacular win in 2005 to become the MP for Westmoreland and Lonsdale, the neighbouring seat to Barrow, has shown that the Liberal Democrats are now the effective, alternative voice to Labour in Cumbria and the North West.

“Councillors Lynn and Gordon Murray joining our team today will make us an even stronger voice for the North West.”