The political mix at Wokingham Borough Council has shifted ahead of the May elections after councillor Majid Nagra left Labour to join the Green Party, citing what he called genocide in Gaza.
Nagra's political path has been winding. He stood for the Conservatives in 2018 and was once on the Reading East Conservative executive committee. He was elected as a Labour councillor in May 2024, left the Labour Party to sit as an independent in September 2025 without resigning his seat, and has now joined the Greens - meaning Labour voters effectively went from Labour to independent to Green representation.
Like Winston Churchill, who famously switched parties in the early 20th century, Cllr Nagra has changed party twice - but rather than returning to the Conservatives he has made his new home with the Greens.
He said: "I have joined the Green Party because it has stood up for our communities, pensioners, disabled and young citizens."
He also said: "The Green Party leadership has highlighted its concerns regarding the genocide in Gaza while the Labour government has stated that 'what Israel was doing in Gaza is not genocide.'"
The Wokingham Green Party said: "We are delighted to welcome Majid as Wokingham's first Green councillor and look forward to working with him. Locally, the Greens are the only party who will stand up for Wokingham and fight for our communities."
They added: "In the local elections in May, the Green Party will stand candidates in all 18 wards for the first time, giving every single resident of Wokingham their first real opportunity to vote for fairness, justice, and positive change in the area."
In a party of one, Cllr Nagra may find it difficult to make or preserve political alliances, which are essential to be effective in the council chamber.
A prominent figure in Wokingham Labour party said that they 'wouldn't waste their breath' over him but: "Wokingham Borough Labour and its councillors remain focussed on working for local people. We have a fantastic candidate for Loddon ward - Rona Noble - who is already working hard to make the ward a better place to live."
The change leaves Wokingham with 28 LibDem councillors, 19 Conservatives, five Labour councillors, one Green councillor and one Independent.
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
