THE leader of the Labour group who twice stood for election to be an MP today revealed he had quit his post and joined the Green Party.

Laurence Cawley

THE leader of the Labour group who twice stood for election to be an MP today revealed he had quit his post and joined the Green Party.

Mark Ereira, who represents St Olave's ward on St Edmundsbury Borough Council, has been a member of the Labour Party for 27 years.

But after learning the Government's decision to allow a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow, Mr Ereira said he could not longer represent the party with his hand on his heart.

He was twice the Labour Party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Bury St Edmunds. He has now become St Edmundsbury Borough Council's first ever Green councillor.

Speaking today, Mr Ereira said: “It is a really sad day for me and it is with a heavy heart that I have left the Party. I maintain that I have not left the Labour Party, it has left me. I don't the point of trying to fly the flag any more.

“I want to be part of a party which takes a real lead on the environment.”