A Southampton councillor has quit Labour after six years to defect to the Green Party.

Councillor Matt Renyard, who represents Coxford, announced his decision to defect today, after being involved with the party for 15 years.

The ward member, who was also chair of the Southampton Test constituency Labour party for four years and a former cabinet member, said "it is becoming increasingly difficult to speak honestly" within the party both locally and nationally.

The announcement was made at the full Southampton City Council meeting today.

He has served the Labour Party as a campaigning member for 15 years, Southampton representative on the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel for three years, and cabinet member for safer city for two years.

He was removed from his cabinet position at a reshuffle last year.

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Cllr Renyard said: "Labour have broken my heart.

"They used to be the party that represented everyday ordinary people, fighting for the poor, the vulnerable, and both the working and middle classes.

"Following the first nine months of this newly elected Labour government, it is clear that Labour has lost its way.

"It does not have a vision for fixing our broken economy with a new economic model that is fit for the 21st century.

"The Green Party is putting together a clear vision for a future that works for the people, the planet, and future generations."

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Cllr Renyard sought to reassure Coxford residents that he will continue to represent them as he always has, particularly through his regular Saturday morning surgeries at Lordshill Library.

Southampton City Council now has 34 Labour representatives, 10 Conservative councillors, five from the Lib Dems and two who serve the Green Party.

Councillor Katherine Barbour welcomed Matt to the Green Party.

She said: "The Green Party is now becoming the only party that represents everyone in the city whether working or not - recent Labour policies will disadvantage huge swathes of the population and bring misery to families and people with ill health issues."

Council leader Cllr Lorna Fielker said: "Cllr Renyard gave his reasons for joining the Green Party and we respect that.

"A healthy democracy requires a range of views to have a voice and I believe challenge from the opposition is important to hold us to account."