Hexham, Northumberland: Animal Welfare Party has gained a representative on Hexham Town Council, the second in the party’s history, after sitting Town Councillor, Lee Williscroft-Ferris switched from being independent to representing AWP

On 20th January, Lee Williscroft-Ferris, a serving councillor on Hexham Town Council in Northumberland made a small piece of history when he announced his decision to switch from being independent to Animal Welfare Party, becoming the second representative in the party’s history, the first in Northumberland and the North East. 

Williscroft-Ferris, who has served on the council since 2021 and who has previously been chair of both the Community Engagement Committee and Remembrance Events Sub-Committee, said in a statement “I’ve made this decision because I believe it has never been more urgent to put people, animals and the planet at the heart of politics at every level. I believe only the Animal Welfare Party recognises the urgent need to address the challenges we face through the lens of people, animals and our planet together. I am proud to have led efforts to make Hexham Town Council’s work more inclusive; this vision will be enhanced with AWP behind me.” 

Williscroft-Ferris has three key priorities for the next phase of the council’s work. These include:

• Promoting healthy and sustainable plant-based food and drink in public settings, including council events. 
• Animal-proofing all of Hexham Town Council’s policies and events to combat speciesism and habitat loss.
• Striving to work with stakeholders to make sustainable transport, including walking, cycling and public transport, the easiest option. 

In response to Williscroft-Ferris’ move to AWP, Party Leader, Vanessa Hudson said “The UK prides itself on its reputation as being a nation of animal lovers and we have often led the way on rejecting practices that are harmful to animals and advancing their rights. It is only fitting then that those keen to focus on the needs of animals, nature and people should have a place in our decision-making bodies. We are delighted that Lee has joined us, becoming the second town councillor in our party’s history and, we hope, signalling a move to a broader-focussed and more compassionate political debate. We welcome him into our party and look forward to supporting his work for animals, nature and people in Hexham and beyond.”