Two district councillors have joined the Liberal Democrats, adding to the party’s growing momentum in Huntingdonshire. Councillors Tom Sanderson and Ann Blackwell, who represent The Stukeleys, announced on Thursday that they had officially joined the Liberal Democrats after previously serving as independents.
The pair said the decision reflected shared values and a continued commitment to delivering practical results for local residents.
Between them, the councillors bring more than 30 years of combined service across Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) and Huntingdon Town Council.
Their work has included securing funding for repairs to paving slabs on Huntingdon High Street, supporting the redevelopment of Hinchingbrooke Hospital, and helping resolve issues affecting residents on the new estate at Alconbury Weald.
Cllr Tom Sanderson, District Councillor for The Stukeleys, said the move would help them continue their work locally.
He said: “Ann and myself are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved for residents in the Stukeleys and as part of the administration at HDC. The Liberal Democrats share the core values that we hold of fairness and community, which is why we’ve decided that the best way to continue delivering for our residents is by joining them.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Huntingdonshire District Council, Cllr Sarah Conboy, welcomed the announcement and praised the councillors’ record.
“Tom and Ann are outstanding councillors with a great track record of getting things done. I’m delighted to welcome them to the Liberal Democrats and I know they’ll continue to work incredibly hard for their residents.”
She added that recent defections reflected growing support for the party locally ahead of upcoming elections.
“The Lib Dems are gaining more and more momentum in Huntingdonshire, which shows the clear choice residents have in May: real change with a Lib Dem-led council, or back to inaction with a Conservative or Reform-led council,” she said.
Cllr Sanderson and Cllr Blackwell are the fourth and fifth councillors to join the Liberal Democrats in Huntingdonshire this year, following Cllr Cath Gleadow (St Ives South), Cllr Sally Howell (Yaxley), and Cllr Michael Burke (St Ives East).
