Post by Handyman on Apr 1, 2024 17:00:11 GMT
Twenty councillors and their leader have resigned from the Labour party after accusing its national leadership of bullying.
The group in Pendle, Lancashire, say the party is "targeting local councillors" by "preventing them from standing for elections" and "using aggressive bullying tactics to suppress fairness and free speech".
The councillors, including Pendle Borough leader Asjad Mahmood, will form independent groups on Pendle Borough Council, Brierfield Town Council, and Nelson Town Council.
Councillor Mahmood, now the leader of the independent group, said, "I, along with my colleagues, were elected by local residents to represent them in the council chamber.
"As a Labour Councillor, I have always felt that the party’s policies were aligned with my own beliefs and those of the constituents who have honoured me with their votes.
"Sadly, over a recent period, senior party officials have attempted to impose their ideas at a local level. I was elected to serve the public, not party officials."
The Pendle councillors will stand as independents.
The group in Pendle, Lancashire, say the party is "targeting local councillors" by "preventing them from standing for elections" and "using aggressive bullying tactics to suppress fairness and free speech".
The councillors, including Pendle Borough leader Asjad Mahmood, will form independent groups on Pendle Borough Council, Brierfield Town Council, and Nelson Town Council.
Councillor Mahmood, now the leader of the independent group, said, "I, along with my colleagues, were elected by local residents to represent them in the council chamber.
"As a Labour Councillor, I have always felt that the party’s policies were aligned with my own beliefs and those of the constituents who have honoured me with their votes.
"Sadly, over a recent period, senior party officials have attempted to impose their ideas at a local level. I was elected to serve the public, not party officials."
The Pendle councillors will stand as independents.