Councillor back in Redbridge Conservative party

A veteran Redbridge councillor with 33 years’ experience has returned to the Conservative fold.

Cllr Harold Moth, of Fullwell Ward, was spotted back on the Tory benches in the council chamber, in High Road, Ilford, last week for the first time since he stood down from the group in September last year.

The switch comes after the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition failed to gain a seat in the Aldborough ward by-election this month.

Conservative leader Keith Prince told the Recorder: “Cllr Moth left for family reasons, which he is now sorting out.

“He is a very hard-working councillor who gets things done, so it’s delightful to have him back.”

Cllr Moth, first elected in 1974, has had a rocky relationship with the Conservative group, quitting the party to become an independent several times.

In March 2008 the Recorder reported he stood down from the Tory group to oppose the closure of the Mildmay Centre, Albert Road, Ilford.