FORMER Wirral Labour councillor Denis Knowles has told voters a “burden has been “removed from my shoulders” after his decision to defect to the Conservatives last week.

The Seacombe councillor joined his new colleagues in the ward on Saturday to explain his decision to residents and deliver letters defending the switch.

Cllr Knowles crossed the floor of the council chamber last Monday, following days of speculation about his future.

Wirral’s Labour group said his defection was “unforgivable”.

In his letter to voters, Cllr Knowles said he had become increasingly disillusioned with Labour politicians locally and nationally – with the “turning point” being Wirral Council’s controversial Strategic Asset Review, which was announced last November.

He said backbench councillors had been left in the dark over the review, which in his ward had proposed closing Guinea Gap Baths and Seacombe Library, and he had felt “nothing but unhappiness” after voting to approve the closures.

Cllr Knowles wrote: “ I was put in a position where I felt I had to choose between my party and the people who voted me on to the council.

“To my everlasting shame, I voted with the party despite the petitions and personal requests not to. I have felt nothing but unhappiness ever since.