A sitting Cambridge councillor has quit the Liberal Democrats to join the Green Party, becoming the first defection to the Greens on Cambridge City Council. Councillor Ingrid Flaubert confirmed today she will now sit with the Green Group, citing a need to combine “ambitious environmental policy with practical measures” to tackle inequality across Cambridge.
Flaubert, who represents Trumpington, stressed her decision was driven by policy alignment rather than criticism of former colleagues. She thanked Liberal Democrat councillors for collaboration on road safety, community campaigns and environmental work during her time in the party.
Elected in May 2021, Flaubert made history as the first Caribbean-born councillor to represent Trumpington, where she has lived for six years. Her work has focused on children’s policy, supporting families navigating social housing and local authority systems, and protecting green spaces.
In a statement, she said the growing convergence of climate pressures and widening inequality required a different political platform.
“My commitment has always been to the people of Trumpington and to tackling inequality wherever I see it,” she said. “I have joined the Green Party to help unite urgent climate action with practical measures for social justice, from maintained homes and well-resourced local services to protecting our parks and trees.”
Flaubert previously highlighted her international background—born in the Caribbean, raised in Spain and educated in the UK—as shaping her understanding of inequality and human rights. Her council work has included advocating for families struggling with housing issues, improving road safety, and campaigning to protect local green spaces and community facilities.
— Phil Rodgers (@PhilRodgers) March 21, 2026
Green Group Leader Cllr Naomi Bennett welcomed the move, saying Flaubert “really cares about Trumpington” and understands pressures linked to rapid development in the area.
Deputy Leader Cllr Elliot Tong added that she had consistently stood up for residents and brought “integrity, compassion, and a commitment to practical action.”
The defection comes as Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Greens surpass 2,000 members and prepare for local elections on 7 May. The party now counts eight councillors across the area—five on the city council and three at county level—bringing the total number of Green councillors on Cambridge City Council to six.
Flaubert said her move reflects urgency in delivering “community-led solutions” at a local level, particularly where environmental priorities intersect with social need.
Footnote:
Flaubert was elected in the Trumpington ward in May 2021 with 1,246 votes, securing one of the seats for the Liberal Democrats.
