A Suffolk councillor has defected from the Green Party to the Conservatives after his former party's controversial vote.
Councillor Daniel Potter, who has represented Orwell ward on Babergh District Council since 2023, said the Green Party’s motion on Gaza was a key reason for his defection.
The motion, passed at the Green Party conference on Sunday, declared Zionism as a form of racism.
The party also backed a “single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine”, a position Mr Potter said took one side in the conflict.
Cllr Potter said: “This motion doesn't do that, instead it fuels anger at the whole of the Jewish state of Israel, something that will bring far more than good, I have decided I do not want to be a part of that.”
Cllr Potter, whose ward includes Belstead, Chelmondiston, Freston, Tattingstone, Wherstead and Woolverstone, is the first Green councillor to defect over the motion.
Mr Potter also criticised the Green Party’s declining focus on environmental issues.
He said: "Environmentalism has taken a backseat to affairs like the one discussed with the motion.
"The conversation hasn't gone away, but it's not being carried through, and that deeply concerns me."
Mr Potter praised Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and her team for their “strength of character” and willingness to tackle difficult issues.
He said: "Kemi Badenoch and the leadership have shown tremendous strength of character not just at this week's conference but in public and at the House of Commons.
"And as far as I can see, they will carry on doing so in order to get difficult things over the line."
Mr Potter said that, although he does not fully support North Sea drilling, affordable energy requires pragmatism.
He also warned that rising immigration is putting pressure on resources.
Mr Potter will represent the Conservatives until May next year.
He acknowledged that the move may disillusion some local supporters but said his priorities had not changed.
“I will continue to work hard and help resolve any long-standing issues as their councillor for Orwell, and changing parties doesn't mean sitting back until May.
“I will be very active in the area, carrying on being their voice.”
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