Labour councillor defects to Lib Dems in Flintshire to continue education fight

Labour councillor Fran Lister has left the party to join the Welsh Liberal Democrats following a series of disputes with Flintshire’s Labour-led administration over education policy and governance.

Cllr Lister, who was elected in March 2024 to represent Brynford and Halkyn, previously worked as a schoolteacher and has been a consistent and vocal advocate on education matters. During her first full budget cycle on the council, she spoke out strongly against the 2.5% top-slicing of the education budget, raising concerns as the authority sought to close a significant funding gap.

In recent months, she has continued to challenge the council’s approach. She criticised the timing of the authority’s positive education self-assessment report, which was released just 24 hours before a critical Estyn inspection report into failings at Flint High School. She has also opposed plans to close Saltney Ferry CP School and relocate pupils across town to Saltney Wood CP School, and argued for a delay in the proposed closure of St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Saltney to give pupils time to prepare should the council’s Catholic super-school plans proceed.

Explaining her decision, Cllr Lister said:

“When I was elected, I promised to work hard for our communities, be a strong voice when things are not right, and hold the council to account,” she said.

“That commitment has not changed.

“Over recent months it has become increasingly difficult for me to do that within the Labour Group. On a number of issues I felt it was important to vote in the interests of residents rather than simply follow a party position.

“That has made my place within the group untenable.

“This is my decision, which has not been taken lightly. I have taken it so I can continue doing the job I was elected to do and be supported in doing so.

“The Liberal Democrats within Flintshire County Council are a strong and constructive voice. They share my belief that politics should be about improving people’s lives, tackling inequality, and making sure working families and education are properly supported.

“I will continue to be a strong voice for Brynford and Halkyn and work hard for the wider Flintshire community.”

Flintshire Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Andrew Parkhurst welcomed her decision, acknowledging it had been carefully considered but saying her principles align closely with the group’s approach.

“We are very pleased to welcome Fran to our team,” he said. “She is a thoughtful and principled councillor who has consistently put the interests of children and families first.

“Over recent months, Fran has shown real determination in standing up for transparency and high standards within the education service.

“Her focus has always been on safeguarding, accountability and ensuring that decisions are taken openly and honestly.

“That commitment to education and doing what is right rather than what is easy aligns very closely with our values as a group.

“We know this will not have been a decision she has taken lightly. Crossing the chamber is never straightforward. It reflects her strength of character and her willingness to act when she believes standards must be upheld.

“Fran will be a strong voice for parents, pupils, and school staff. We look forward to working with her to ensure that education governance in Flintshire is robust, transparent and accountable.”