A LONG-SERVING Kendal councillor said the public wanted 'to see real opposition' to the Liberal Democrats after joining the Green Party.

Cllr Graham Vincent has served the area as a district and town councillor for more than 20 years.

The former independent candidate joined Cllr Chris Rowley in representing the Greens on the council after becoming 'convinced' the party offered 'the urgent solutions that we need'. The pair remain the only two town councillors in Kendal not to represent the Lib Dems.

Cllr Vincent, who was a Liberal Democrat councillor before he became an independent, referenced former councillor Jon Owen when discussing his reasons for the switch. Mr Owen joined the Green Party from the Lib Dems earlier this year and resigned from his district and town council positions at the same time.

"The Green Party's Liz Hendry took 40 per cent of the vote in the recent by-election in Kendal, showing that local people want to see real opposition to the Lib Dem-run councils in Kendal," said Cllr Vincent, who represents the Stonecross ward.

Cllr Rowley, who represents the Strickland ward, said: "With more Green support on the council, I will be able to continue to push for more from our town council, who have been dominated by a single party for so long."