A councillor who defected from Labour says the party has "lost its way" after he joined the Green Party.

Southampton City Councillor Matt Renyard, who represents Coxford, defected to the Greens after being involved with Labour for 15 years.

Cllr Renyard, 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.

He made the announcement at a full council meeting earlier this week, and had been removed from his cabinet position last year during a reshuffle.

Cllr Renyard said: "It has been a long time coming, and a lot of thought has gone into this decision for me.

"I feel that the Labour Party has lost its way. And I think that is due to some of the decisions that the leadership of the party has made."

Cllr Renyard says that decisions such as capping the child benefit at three children, and cuts to the disability welfare were decisions that helped push him away from the party.

He adds that the economy needs to be "rebalanced", saying that the Green Party are the only one with a plan towards this goal.

"I think there are some things the Greens are looking at that for me begin to answer some of the bigger questions we need to solve," said Cllr Renyard.

"The biggest one is our economy.

"People I talk to stress belief quite strongly that our economic system is broken, and I agree with that.

"I don't think Labour understands this. I think they are resorting to austerity and neo liberal capitalism."

Councillor Matt Renyard standing with other Green Party representatives at today's Southampton City Council full council meeting (Image: Southampton Green Party)

READ MORE: Southampton councillor quits Labour to join Green Party

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 added: "I do genuinely feel heartbroken. I have reached a point where I can no longer wear the colours of the Labour Party, as it has moved away from the values that I felt it had.

"I feel that I haven't shifted but that the Labour Party shifted away."

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When asked about how his constituents, who voted for him as the Labour candidate, may feel betrayed, he said: "Obviously, I have had conversations on the ward, and have put out a notice to make my constituents aware.

"The overwhelming response has been incredibly positive. 

"I think mainly because Labour voters, particularly, are feeling disenfranchised with the leadership at the minute.

"There will be an election in two years and people will be able to make their decisions at that point."

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."