Cllr Kieran Dams, who represents Waterloo ward on Sefton Council, has joined the Liberal Democrats after resigning from the Green Party in October. He left the party following the passage of a motion describing Zionism as a form of racism at the party's national conference in Brighton.
Background and Decision
Elected in May's local elections, Cllr Dams initially announced his resignation from the Greens in a social media statement in October, confirming he would sit as an independent councillor. On November 3, 2026, he revealed on his X page that he had joined the Liberal Democrats.
He acknowledged a brief earlier membership of the party, saying: "And yes, before X beats me to it, I was briefly a member for three months when I was 17. It turns out I just took the long way home."
Reasons for Joining
Cllr Dams explained that recent weeks had given him time to reflect on his political beliefs and motivations. He cited his childhood in the care system as a formative experience, saying it taught him that life is not always fair and that support can make a significant difference.
He stated: "To me, liberalism is about giving everyone the freedom, fairness and opportunity to make something of their lives, regardless of their background."
He also reaffirmed his stance on the Green Party motion, saying: "My decision to leave the Green Party over their 'Zionism is racism' motion was one of principle. I will never compromise on challenging prejudice."
Party Context and Impact
The motion, agreed by Green Party members in a vote on October 4, has divided party leaders. Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who did not participate in the vote, said he would not accept anyone being excluded from the party "because of the religious or communal body they are part of".
The motion received 1,022 votes in favour, equating to 0.4% of the total party membership, with 813 voting against. Cllr Dams said he believed a positive alternative was needed at a time when extremism and division dominate politics, adding that he respected how the Liberal Democrats challenged Labour and held the administration to account. He expressed encouragement after speaking with the Sefton Liberal Democrats, saying he was proud to join the team and looked forward to playing his part in its future.
