In a statement released after the meeting, Cllr Sodha said:
“I was a loyal, active and devoted member of Labour Party for more than 20 years and a hard working Labour Councillor for the past 16 years. However, after a period of long deliberation, soul-searching and some sadness, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to part company with Labour.
The party is not the same party I joined all those years ago. I am absolutely clear that I have not changed - it is the Labour Party that has changed. It is no longer the party for equality and justice, especially when it comes to the Asian, Indian community. Their selection process is flawed and when they say they give equal opportunity to all, that is just a lip service. They bend the rules to suit them, to suit a few whose influence is detrimental for the good of the Labour Party.
The Tory party under David Cameron has moved in the opposite direction to Labour, forming stronger links with the Asian community, giving us our first female Indian MPs, Sailesh Vara and Priti Patel who are already Ministers.
Today, Hendon Labour has indifferent leadership and the leader is not able to unite the party or to raise concerns when there is clearly a breach of trust. In this state, is it the right party to serve the community? I am sure voters will give their wise judgement in May's local election.
The party is short of ideas, inspiration and judgement – not even able to come up with an alternative to One Barnet – and would be detrimental for the well-being of the people of the London Borough of Barnet. The few people who could uplift and reinvigorate the party have been sidelined and treated with scant respect.
There is a lot that needs doing in West Hendon - regeneration, community cohesion, schools, housing, integration and more. Labour only wants to blame others for all the problems rather than looking at these issues in a realistic, professional manner. Playing the blame game is not in the best interests of the people.
Labour opposed the regeneration in West Hendon but the people who have moved into new homes are absolutely delighted - they no longer have to live in slums.
The Tory values of helping hard working people, businesses and families are what is going to help people. I feel our children will have better futures under the Tories. The country is already out of recession, there are more jobs and there are more people in employment than ever. There is so much confidence, hope and expectation.
West Hendon will be a great place with new homes for people, new shops and streets. I hope this positive development will continue after the next election. I don’t want Labour to come in and stop all this progress.”
Leader of the Council and the Conservative Group, Cllr Richard Cornelius, welcomed Cllr Sodha to the group:
“We are pleased to welcome to our group a councillor who has given long and dedicated service to the local community. We feel we can work well together for the good of the residents of West Hendon and Barnet.
This episode does highlight the fragility of the Labour Group and Cllr Sodha’s comments about their lack of a credible alternative to our approach are telling. This shows the importance of us continuing to run the council beyond May and I am looking forward to working alongside Cllr Sodha in that endeavour.”