Camden New Journal - by RICHARD OSLEY Published: 5 July 2007
Peggy Jay
...and Peggy’s gone too!
PEGGY JAY, the life president of the Heath and Hampstead Society and an influential campaigner on conservation and political issues in Hampstead for more than 50 years, has quit the Lib Dems and rejoined the Labour Party after an absence of almost 20 years. Mrs Jay, 94, turned her back on Labour in the 1980s when the Hampstead branch was riven with internal divisions that saw many ward members desert for the newly formed but now defunct Social Democrat Party.
She said: “They were dark years, but they are long over. I have decided to rejoin and I have received a charming message from the chairman of the Hampstead Labour Party welcoming me back.”
She resigned her Lib Dem membership last month. Her move back to Labour is an unexpected side-effect of what political pundits are calling the “Brown Bounce” as the new leader’s influence seeps down to constituency level.
Mrs Jay said: “I have always admired Gordon Brown, and when he became the leader I was extremely pleased. I am so happy to be back with the Labour Party again. It is where I feel I belong.”
She revealed that the spouse of a relative had worked closely with the new Prime Minster when he was the Chancellor of the Exchequer and had spoken highly of the new premier, which helped sway her decision.