THE LABOUR Party in Redbridge has been left shaken after the defection of two councillors to the Lib Dems.

Goodmayes ward councillor Satnam Singh and Clementswood ward councillor Fiaz Noor are thought to have made the move because of disagreements within the party.

Their defection brings the Lib Dem group up to 13 councillors - its highest ever number on Redbridge Council - just two short of Labour's total.

Lib Dem leader Hugh Cleaver welcomed their decision which he claims is a sign of his group's growing influence.

He said: "This came as a result of something that's been rumbling on for some time.

"We are pleased to have them in our group.

"The addition of two more experienced and able councillors from the south of Ilford will add significantly to the strength of the Liberal Democrats on Redbridge Council.

"This means that the Liberal Democrats are in a strong position to make further advances in the 2010 elections.

"We are the fastest growing political party in Redbridge and we have shown we can play a key role in the running of the borough for the benefit of all our residents.”

A statement from Ilford South Labour party said: "The Labour Party is disappointed that Cllrs Satnam Singh and Fiaz Noor have decided to defect to the Liberal Democrats.

"The Labour Party has a rigorous assessment process for councillors and neither were reselected to stand again in 2010.

"There is a time when you have to consider whether representing local people or just being a councillor with its associated expenses is uppermost in people’s minds.

"This is not the first time this has happened. Just before the last council elections in 2006 a councillor in Goodmayes, who was also not reselected, joined the Lib Dems and was soundly defeated at the subsequent election.

"In many respects the Lib Dems serve as the dustbin party of this area."