‘People before politics’: Northampton councillor switches to Liberal Democrats

Upton ward Councillor Kathryn Shaw has joined the party’s group at the authority, taking its number of councillors to eight.

Councillor Shaw said the decision was driven by a shared commitment to putting residents and communities first.

She said: “Over the past eight months, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on what matters most to me, both as a councillor and as a person.

“For me, it has always been about people before politics, with children, families and our communities at the forefront of everything I do.

“Joining the Liberal Democrats feels like the right next step, alongside a group who share that strong community focus and who understand the importance of putting residents first.”

Councillor Shaw said she had also been “consistently impressed” by the calibre of the Liberal Democrat group and its “depth of knowledge, intellect, experience and thoughtful challenge”.

She added: “I will continue to ask challenging questions, push boundaries and make a bit of noise when it’s needed but always with the same purpose: to make a genuine difference to the people I represent.”

West Northamptonshire Council Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Jonathan Harris welcomed her decision.

He said: “We are delighted that Kathryn has decided to join the Liberal Democrats. It is clear that Kathryn is passionate about making a difference to the people of West Northants.

“We welcome her energy, enthusiasm, commitment and experience to the team and we are looking forward to supporting her in her work.”

Councillor Shaw’s arrival takes the Liberal Democrat group at West Northamptonshire Council to eight members, with its councillors representing communities across Northampton, Daventry and South Northamptonshire.