Why Newquay mayor Drew Creek has left the Green Party for Labour

When Drew Creek won his seat on Cornwall Council in 2025, he did it as a Green. On Thursday 29 October he wrote to the council’s chief executive to say he would now be sitting with the Labour and Co-operative Group.

The Newquay Mayor represents the Newquay Trenance ward and, until this week’s move, led the Green group on the council. He says one motion, passed at the Green Party’s national conference, was the line he couldn’t cross.

Why he says he left

Drew says his decision follows the Zionism is Racism motion passed at Green Party Conference.

“Leaving the Green Party isn’t a decision I’ve taken lightly, and it’s one I never expected to make,” he said.

“I have huge respect for my Green colleagues in Newquay and across Cornwall and I count many of them as genuine friends.

“But the motion passed at conference crossed a line. I can’t stand behind that, and I won’t pretend otherwise. I didn’t leave the Green Party. The party left me.”

“Newquay is my home”

Drew says local voters want practical politics rather than division, and he names Labour’s Andy Burnham as an example of the approach he believes in.

“People in Newquay don’t want politicians driving division. They want someone who’ll fix the roads, protect our coast, fight for local services and bring people together. That’s the kind of politics I believe in and the kind of politics Andy Burnham has shown.

“Newquay is my home and where I am raising my family. I came into politics for one reason, to stand up for this town and the people in it. Labour is where I believe I can do that best, and I’m looking forward to getting on with the job.”

How Labour has responded

Councillor Kate Ewert, who leads the Labour and Co-operative Group on Cornwall Council, said: “It takes real courage to look honestly at your own party and say, ‘this isn’t right for me anymore’. Drew has done exactly that.

“I’ve worked with Drew since he was elected, and I’ve seen first-hand his commitment to the people he represents. This mirrors how we work in the Labour and Co-operative group and we look forward to working with him and delivering for the people of Cornwall.

“In politics, people should be judged by what they do, not just what they say. Joining Labour is a significant step, and it shows how serious Drew is about delivering for Cornwall and Newquay.”

Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay, also welcomed the move.

“In this period of polarised politics, it takes great courage to stand up for what you believe in. Having worked with Drew since my election, I have always found him to be steadfast in his beliefs, easy to work with, and a good advocate for Newquay,” he said.

“I welcome him to the local Labour team, and thoroughly look forward to continuing our hard work for the betterment of everyone in Newquay.”

What changes on Cornwall Council

Drew’s letter to the chief executive confirms he will join the Labour and Co-operative Group on the council. The move has been consented to by Kate.

He remains the councillor for Newquay Trenance, a seat he first won as a Green Party candidate in 2025.