Independent Broadheath councillor Ulrich Savary has announced his decision to join the Liberal Democrat Group at Trafford Council, two months after dramatically quitting the Labour Party.
Savary, who has represented Broadheath since 2021, left Labour in July claiming the party had "lost its way". He has now thrown his support behind the Liberal Democrats, citing their dedication to local community issues.
"I love serving the people of Broadheath. It's a privilege," Savary said. "Our community deserves hard working local champions who are dedicated to grassroots campaigning and making things a little bit better for residents each day. That's exactly what I see in the Liberal Democrats and why I'm proud to join such a committed team."
The announcement was made as Savary joined Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Shaun Ennis and Deputy Leader Will Frass on a visit to inspect local parks in Broadheath.
Cllr Ennis said: "Ulrich is a fantastic local councillor for Broadheath. He works incredibly hard to make things better for residents. He is a great addition to our Liberal Democrat team as we continue to grow and offer a strong alternative voice in Trafford."
Back in July, Savary delivered a devastating critique of the party's direction under Keir Starmer's leadership.
"Labour has lost its way," he wrote. "It is no longer a party grounded in values - it has become a brand, driven by electoral strategy over principle."
The 42-year-old councillor, originally from France, accused Labour of abandoning the social democratic values of "fairness, compassion, and standing up for the vulnerable" that had drawn him to the party when he joined in 2008.
At the local level, Savary was equally scathing, arguing that "council tax in Trafford has gone up by 7.5% this year - well above the legal threshold - while services are worse than ever".
The move strengthens the Liberal Democrats' position as the third-largest group on Trafford Council, increasing their representation from six to seven councillors.
Savary's defection is significant given his narrow victory in Broadheath in the 2024 local elections, where he defeated incumbent Conservative councillor Kaushik Chakroborty by just six votes - 1,716 to 1,710. His win helped Labour achieve their highest ever representation on Trafford Council.
The defection leaves Labour with 41 seats on the 63-seat council. The Conservatives hold eight seats, while the Green Party has six.
