Want Stoke-on-Trent news emailed to you direct from our journalists? Sign up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A councillor has joined Animal Welfare Party – making her the first elected representative in the UK.

Jane Smith stood for the Greens and was voted on to Alsager Town Council two years ago.

But she has now defected and is instead representing the Animal Welfare Party (AWP) so she can fight for the rights of ‘non-humans’ on issues such as planning.

Since making the switch, Jane has been protesting against a proposed badger cull in Cheshire and has even been carrying out patrols to find wounded animals at night.

The 47-year-old said: “It was painful leaving the Green Party because I was happy with the policies but I wanted to send out a clear signal that we need to take animal welfare seriously.

“The AWP has strong animal welfare policies and the Green Party still has representation in Alsager.

“Animals rights has always been a strong area of interest for me and joining the AWP will hopefully raise awareness that we share the world with animals.”

A keen objector to culling, Jane has been out with the Wounded Badger Patrol monitoring the Cheshire cull.

She added: “We’re committed to keeping an eye on local wildlife during culls because we know that is when crime levels increase.

“If we spot anything that we think is a wildlife crime then we report it to Cheshire Police.”

Jane believes changing the ways we behave towards animals starts at a local level.

She added: “When it comes to planning applications and house building it is important that we have a representative for non-humans.

“As a local councillor there will be lots of ways that I can monitor what is going on and try and improve animal welfare in Alsager.”

Established in 2006 the AWP is based on the successful Dutch party Partij voor de Dieren, which translates to Party for the Animals.

In the UK, the AWP has fought elections in 2008, 2009, and 2010 as well as the 2015 General Election.

Party leader Vanessa Hudson welcomed Jane’s decision to join the party.

She said “The UK has a proud history of thought leadership in animal welfare and it is high time animals had dedicated representatives in our decision making bodies.

“Only that way can their needs and interests begin to be properly protected. With today’s news, AWP takes its first steps to joining our sister parties in the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Australia who have already achieved that for animals.

“We are delighted that Jane has joined us enabling the UK to take this important step. We welcome her into our party and look forward to supporting her continued good work for people, animals and the environment in Alsager and beyond.”