Erewash Borough Councillor Greg Maskalick 'crosses the floor'

Ockbrook & Borrowash Parish Councillor Greg Maskalick has crossed the political floor from being "one lone Independent" to join Labour at Erewash Borough Council.

In a statement, Councillor Maskalick said that he had spent the last 18 months taking what he described as "soundings from very, very many residents" of the two villages and found that public opinion had shifted significantly, and that people wanted change delivered with Labour - the controlling party at the borough's Town Halls.

Announcing his pleasure in detailing the move, Councillor Maskalick said: "This is not a decision taken lightly but it has led to my firm conviction that only Labour locally and nationally has the policies that will truly help our Parish and our families.

"As the lone Independent Councillor, I did have some influence on matters initially, but as the voices of negativity grew louder, it became more difficult for my voice to be heard for the people of Ockbrook and Borrowash whom I am so very proud to represent."

Councillor Maskalick criticised two other borough councillors for the parish of Ockbrook and Borrowash who he said had "consistently chosen to pursue the politics of division rather than uniting in the best interests of the people they jointly represent" and said that, consequently there was no voice at the table for positive change and progress to be made in the two villages. 

He continued: "Now that I have crossed the floor, I do so with the confidence that all parishioners will now be represented from a position of strength, equality and a real vision of what the future will be and can be for all of us."

"Being in a position to give Ockbrook and Borrowash a stronger voice at Erewash Borough Council will enable me to help shape policies that will be of benefit to all residents of our Parish – and indeed, to everyone who lives in the wider Borough of Erewash. I have full confidence above all in the fairness, equality and sound leadership of Councillor James Dawson at Erewash Borough Council, and Keir Starmer as Prime Minister nationally.

"Nobody ever said that change happens overnight or that it’s easy! The process of making beneficial changes can be uncomfortable sometimes, welcome at others but the journey is worth it because the changes that Labour is making will bring us all a more positive, supportive and inclusive future. "

"I look forward with the greatest enthusiasm to delivering the very best for everyone living in Ockbrook and Borrowash as a Labour Councillor at Erewash Borough Council. I’ll be here for you now as always!"

Helen Clark is the Labour Chair for the Mid-Derbyshire constituency in which the two villages of Ockbrook and Borrowash are located. She said: "We are absolutely delighted that Greg is now a member of Mid Derbyshire Labour Party. He has been well known to people in our villages as a tremendous local champion for many years; respected across the political divide because of his tremendous integrity, ‘can do’ attitude and the sheer positivity of his approach to everything.

"On July 4th 2025, people in our country voted overwhelmingly for the change that only Labour can deliver. Greg will ensure that the people he represents in Ockbrook and Borrowash have their voices heard and their needs met every step of the way."

At around 4:30pm on Friday 23rd August, the day of Councillor Maskalick's announcement, the Ockbrook and Borrowash Neighbourhood Network issued a statement on social media to make their own announcement that Councillor Maskalick was no longer a member of the independently elected OBNN group and had joined the Labour Group at Erewash Borough Council.

It said that they wished him well in his journey and future endeavours and added that the Parish Council was now composed of one Conservative, one Labour and nine Independents, seven of which were part of the OBNN and, addressing local residents, said: "We appreciate your ongoing support and, we, as a group now look forward to continuing our efforts to serve our community together", concluding "OBNN will always be independent and will put parish people before party politics."