Former Labour elected mayor Jamie Driscoll has joined the Green Party, declaring that "Britain's a mess" as he makes the switch ahead of crucial local elections in Newcastle. The 55-year-old, who left Labour two years ago, announced his move to the Greens as the party seeks gains in May's council elections.
Driscoll outlined his reasons for the political shift, criticizing current economic conditions. «Britain's a mess. British politics is a mess and it's not the fault of immigrants,» he said. «Food prices, energy prices, housing prices are all too high. Our economy isn't working for workers, it isn't working for small businesses. It doesn't have to be like this. I'm joining the Green Party because I see an organisation that's serious about running our country in the long-term interests of all our people.»
The former North of Tyne Mayor has had a complex political trajectory since leaving Labour. He established Majority, a progressive left-wing organisation. He also served as a director of MoU Operations, a company handling donations for Your Party, the political party founded by Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn. Driscoll resigned from that directorship in October and stated last month he was not a member of Your Party and did not intend to join.
Green Party's Electoral Push
Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, welcomed Driscoll's arrival as evidence of growing momentum. «This is another example of the Green surge sweeping across the country,» Polanski said. «Jamie is a well-known political figure with a proven track record of delivering real change to people's lives. People are looking for bold politics that offers hope rather than fear, and solutions rather than division.»
The timing carries electoral significance. Newcastle holds local elections in May, with all 78 council seats contested. The council currently operates under no overall control, though Labour remains the biggest party.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
