FORMER Labour councillors who threw City of York Council into crisis when they defected from the ruling group are planning to fight the next election.

Cllrs Ken King and David Scott have announced they will stand again for their Clifton seats.

The pair were elected as Labour members, but now operate as the Labour Independent group after defecting in November.

The May local election will see them fight the new Labour candidates Margaret Wells and Danny Myers for the two Clifton seats.

Cllr King said: “Since becoming a Labour Independent councillor I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from Clifton residents. I have been able to do more and speak out more. Being an independent councillor with solid Labour roots means that David and I can make a real difference.”

He said they welcomed other candidates who wanted to join them.

Clifton is currently represented by Cllrs King and Scott and Cllr Helen Douglas. All three were axed by the local branch in July last year, and boundary changes mean the ward will only get two councillors after the May election.

Ken and David are holding Make Our Manifesto meetings on Saturday, March 21 between 10am and noon at the Burton Stone; and St Philip and St James Church on Saturday, March 28 at the same times.