Labour councillor rejoins party group two years after quitting over handling of Brexit

A Labour councillor has decided to rejoin the party group two years after quitting in protest at their failure to back a second referendum.

Cllr James Coldwell, one of the councillors for Newington Ward, has rejoined the Labour Party and has therefore rejoined the Labour group on Southwark Council.

He quit Labour over the party’s handling of Brexit, citing the ruling executive’s decision not to fully back a second referendum as ‘the final straw’.

The councillor had been temporarily kicked out of Southwark Labour Group by the whip in response to voting in favour of a ‘People’s Vote’ in 2018.

He said this week: “I’m thrilled to be back as a Labour Party member.

“And I’m excited to work with Kieron Williams and Southwark Labour colleagues as Southwark builds back fairer after the pandemic.

“The past year has been extremely challenging but I look forward to working with Labour colleagues to help Southwark face the future with confidence and optimism.”

Labour council leader Cllr Kieron Williams said: “I’m delighted that James has re-joined the Labour Party.

“He works tirelessly for the residents of Newington, so it is fantastic to have him back in our team of hard working Southwark Labour councillors.”