LABOUR councillor Jabba Riaz insists he has no regrets in switching political parties after he retained his Cathedral ward seat in the city elections.
The controversial move came in October last year when the former Conservative member said the party had “disastrous policies” and he felt “uncomfortable” with the direction it was heading.
However, Coun Riaz’s decision proved fruitful as he beat off Tory councillor, Francis Lankester, by just under 200 votes in Worcester’s City Council elections last Thursday (May 22) at the Guildhall.
“I’m absolutely proud,” Coun Riaz said. “I had a fantastic team working with me in the Labour party, we stand up for what people want and what people are crying out for.
“The Cathedral residents showed faith in the great work I have done over the past four years, I am an extremely had working councillor and that’s been repaid in the votes I have got.
“I have no regrets in moving over to the Labour party. I’m absolutely proud of the team that has been working with me, they’re exceptionally hard-working councillors that are out on the ground week in, week out, and care about the people and we’re proud of that.”
Should Labour retain control of the council, Coun Riaz is confident the plans his party have set will come to fruition.
“We’ve got some ambitious plans,” he added. “If come the annual meeting, we’re still in power, we’ve got some ambitious plans including the Cathedral Plaza, helping small businesses and getting the economy going again in the city centre.
“We’ll have to think what our priorities are and work up from there.”
