A Sutton councillor has resigned from the Lib Dems and is joining Labour after opposing plans to build an incinerator in his ward in Beddington.

John Keys, long serving councillor for Beddington North, has said support within his party to build the controversial incinerator made him consider his position.

In December last year the Lib Dem administration in Sutton voted through a waste strategy which has paved the way for an incinerator to be built in Beddington.

Waste company Viridor is now consulting on an application to build a controversial facility off Beddington Lane, burning up to 275,000 tonnes of waste each year.

Coun Keys said: "The Lib Dems under Nick Clegg are moving further to the right and are not the same party any more. Locally, the decision to support an incinerator in Beddington and have the planning meeting in August, when many people will be on holiday, made me consider my position."

Coun Keys also said he was unhappy with his party since they went into coalition nationally with the Tories.

In his resignation letter to the Lib Dem Council leader, Sean Brennan, coun Keys said he could not support a party that supported the Tory NHS bill, and cuts to the top rate of income tax on top of the broken promise on tuition fees.

Andrew Theobald, chair of the Carshalton and Wallington Labour Party said: ‘We are delighted to welcome John into the local Labour Party. I have known, liked and respected John for many years – he is a man of courtesy, integrity and a hard working ward councillor. It’s great news that we have a Labour voice on Sutton Council again, who can challenge the Lib Dems and Tories."

Louisa Woodley, Labour GLA candidate for Croydon and Sutton added: ‘It is clear that more and more people are fed up with the way the Tory/Lib Dem government is harming the living standards of ordinary people. Many voters are telling me they will no longer vote Lib Dem. I’m very pleased that John Keys has decided to join Labour now so that he can better fight for the interests of the people he represents."

Coun Keys will be the first Labour councillor to serve on Sutton Council since 2006.

Sutton Liberal Democrats have been contacted about Mr Keys' decision, but are yet to respond.