Independent Telford councillor joins Liberal Democrats

Councillor Shana Roberts, who represents the Stirchley ward on Brookside and Stirchley Parish Council, has also been selected to be the Liberal Candidate for the Brookside ward in the 2019 borough council elections.

She was originally elected in 2017 and is the current chair of local action project, Brookside Big Local.

Councillor Roberts said: "I have been on quite a journey since joining the Stirchley and Brookside Parish Council last year.

"Some experiences have been amazing and it has been wonderful to see the impact that local initiatives have had on local people.

"I believe in putting people and the needs of my community before politics and it is important to me that I have the support of like minded people who share the same values as me – tolerance, fairness and equality."

Councillor Roberts said people of all political backgrounds had been helpful to her.

"I have spoken to a lot of people trying to find out where I belonged," she said. "I met some great and inspirational role models.

"After some soul searching I decided to go back to my Liberal Democrat roots and I have found a family of authentic, honest and driven people who give me hope. People who focus on the good they can do and not the bad that someone else does."

Councillor Thomas Janke, membership officer for the Telford Lib Dems, said: "We are delighted Shana has decided to join us.

"Councillor Roberts' values are completely aligned with our party. She will be a fantastic borough councillor and we look forward to working with her to make that happen."