A Lisburn and Castlereagh councillor has quit the Green Party to join the SDLP.
Simon Lee was elected in 2019 when a rise in support for the Greens saw the party double their council seat tally to eight.
But the Green Party faced significant defeats in May's Assembly election, with both their MLAs including party leader Clare Bailey losing their seats.
Read more: SDLP political director steps down after Stormont Assembly election losses
Mr Lee is understood to have resigned from the Green Party earlier this week. Party sources were unclear why he had quit.
In a statement released by the SDLP, the councillor for Castlereagh South said the move was "a big decision" but he felt the party was a "perfect fit" for him.
He said: "I've always considered myself a social democrat and been motivated by using the power of government to level the playing field for working people and those in need of the most support.
"My values align with the vision and values of the SDLP - enhancing public services so that everyone can access health treatment, creating good quality jobs to lift people out of poverty, giving everyone the opportunity to express their culture in a positive way and live fulfilling lives.
"Over the last number of years I’ve also been more attracted to the party's work on building a new Ireland.
"Brexit has changed everything for me and for many people I know who wouldn’t come from a traditional pro-unity background.
"The SDLP has the most legitimacy when it comes to working with all of our communities on this project, working together to build a consensus on what a new future could look like, how it could change our lives for the better and, most importantly, how everyone can feel welcomed in it.
"I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with my colleagues to build a better future for all the people we represent."
The defection will be seen as a boost for the SDLP, which suffered significant losses in May's election.
It dropped from third-largest party at Stormont to fifth-largest after losing four MLAs, including deputy leader Nichola Mallon.
The party's political director Carl Whyte stepped down last month.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood tweeted that he was "delighted" that Mr Lee was joining his party's ranks.
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna also said she was "absolutely chuffed" to welcome Mr Lee, describing him as "first class public representative, an incredibly hard worker and a really lovely guy".
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