READERS have been speaking out after a Labour councillor joined the Tories.

Carlisle City Council member Jo Ellis-Williams left the Labour Party last week for the opposite side of the chamber.

The move gives the Conservatives an overall majority in the council.

Cllr Ellis-Williams, who represents Parklands and Harraby South, was a key player in the Labour Party, having served as its chairperson until September.

Some readers took to the News & Star Facebook page to call for a by-election.

Tania Allan said: "How can she keep her seat if she’s changed parties? She was voted as a Labour candidate.

"Imagine if all the councillors did this and we ended up with only one party?

"How do we know this wasn’t the plan anyway?

"This is not democracy."

Adam Paul agreed: "In the last few weeks Labour gained a seat in a by election which meant that The Conservatives lost overall control of The City Council.

"The wife (Jo) of The Deputy Leader of The Conservatives jumps ship to join her husband, restoring The Conservative overall control.

"Lets be clear, this is the story, that is her values in action.

"Do the decent thing and call a by-election."

Alan Wright said: "Any councillor or MP that changes parties should be made to step down and stand again on their new manifesto."

Others argued that she should not have to face a by-election.

Nathan Scott said: "We don't elect parties, we elect individuals.

"That modern thinking has mixed the two up is not the fault of the system.

"If her stance on issues doesn't change, but people switch their vote to someone else, then why do we even bother putting names on the ballot?"

Some questioned Cllr Ellis-Williams' motives for changing party.

Cllr Deborah Earl commented: "I hope the properly elected Conservative councillor for Harraby South and Parklands is watching her back as the “formidable” party jumper will have her eye on that prize for the unitary election in May! But hey that’s politics."