Leaked email shows Jonathan Simpson wanted to join Islington Lib Dems

DEFECTOR Jonathan Simpson has again been forced to defend his shock decision to join the Labour Party from the Lib Dems after a leaked email appeared to show him asking the leader of Liberal Democrat-controlled Islington for a job as a councillor.
The revealing email – sent by Cllr Simpson (pictured) two months ago and since seen by the New Journal – requests a meeting with Steve Hitchins, the Lib Dem chief of neighbouring Islington Council.
It said: “I’m thinking forward in advance of the local elections next year. Could you give me a call at some point. I’d be interested in having an off the record chat with you about moving to Islington and getting on the council. Wouldn’t want to mortally offend the Camden gang, so please do not mention this to Flick (Rea, Lib Dem leader in Camden).”
In a shock move Cllr Simpson – currently a councillor on Camden Council, representing Fortune Green – ditched the Liberal Democrats and immediately started canvassing for the Labour Party last Monday.
Since announcing the switch, the 31-year-old has also helped out in neighbouring Islington South where Labour’s candidate Emily Thornberry faces a battle to hold the constituency against a fierce challenge from the Lib Dems.
While Labour strategists have played up the sudden defection, Cllr Simpson has been left to fight claims that less than 10 weeks ago he was trying to get on Islington Council, where the Lib Dems are more influential.
He said there were no official talks and insisted that the idea of crossing borough boundaries had been suggested by Lib Dems on the Islington side of the border.
Quizzed by the New Journal, Cllr Simpson said: “I have friends in the Islington Lib Dem administration who told me I should move to Islington to join them for the last three years. However, this is my home and where I want to make a difference. I have no plans and had no plans to move to Islington.” He maintained that the switch was fuelled by disillusionment with Lib Dem policies, specifically their attempts to deal with anti-social behaviour.
A Lib Dem source from the Camden branch said: “Jonathan is looking increasingly silly. He can’t make up his mind where he wants to be or who he wants to represent. If the Labour Party wants to bang on about what an asset somebody as flaky as that is for them, then they should feel free. It will be interesting to see what the voters at next year’s council elections think of Jonathan’s childish actions.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Keith Moffitt warned that the Labour Party were fighting dirty over the defection. He said: “They have sent out a letter from Jonathan which makes out that our general election candidate in Hampstead and Highgate (Ed Fordham) has stood down. Anybody reading this material quickly would think that. To do that is pretty dirty.”