Latest news with #independentcouncillors
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
New independent group for Derbyshire County Council announced
Two independent councillors have formed an independent group on Derbyshire County Council, with the leader decided by coin George, the former Labour MP for High Peak who was elected as an independent councillor for Whaley Bridge in May's local elections, will lead the Wheelton, a South Derbyshire District councillor who was elected to the Linton ward at the county council, will take up the position of deputy were the only two councillors elected as independents in Derbyshire in the elections and will be the smallest grouping on the council, named the Derbyshire Independent Group. They fall just behind Labour and the Liberal Democrats, which each have three the group would enable them to participate in more council structures and "better scrutinise how the council's decisions impact their areas and residents" they forming the group, they have been offered three seats on three committees. In addition, they will also be entitled to submit questions to the council's cabinet members and participate in briefings from officers. Both say they will maintain "the independent position on which they were elected", noting the two represent opposite ends of the said that whilst they have different backgrounds, "our skills and experience complement each other"."As with any group of people we won't agree on everything but we will always agree to do our best for the areas and people we represent, and that will always be the priority." Wheelton, who runs a farm near Walton-on-Trent, added: "Very oddly, I flipped the coin, Ruth called it right - tails - she's the leader, I'm the deputy leader and whip. "But as far as we're concerned we're two people on the same level working together."I'm really hoping we can work with all want the best for residents."Wheelton also hopes to represent the views of farmers amid what she described as an "assault on farming" at government level. George was barred from standing for the Labour Party in the local elections after allegations of antisemitism, which she denies. Wheelton was a Conservative district councillor in South Derbyshire for the Seales ward until she was suspended from the party in 2020 for seeking election as an independent county councillor. She has sat as an independent and been re-elected as an independent on the council since. The county council will have its first full meeting since the local elections this week, where the new Reform UK leadership will be formally signed off.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Three Solihull Conservative councillors resign membership
Three Conservative councillors from Birmingham have resigned from the party.A joint statement from councillors Michael Gough, Samantha Gethen and Alison Rolf, who represent Solihull, said they will continue to serve as a resignation letter posted to Facebook, Gough said the party had "changed" and no longer reflects on his values and beliefs. Gethen also shared her resignation letter online, stating she had "no confidence" in its local leadership. A statement from Rolf, Gough and Gethen said: "As elected representatives of the people of Solihull, we have always acted with the best interests of our community at heart."We can no longer, in good conscience, continue as part of the Conservative group on Solihull Council."We will continue to serve as independent councillors, standing up for the values of the people of Solihull, to protect what matters, challenge what doesn't and help shape a town that works for everyone."In his letter addressed to Councillor Karen Grinsell, Gough referenced difficulties in his personal life that had impacted his political work over the last 18 wrote: "I have wrestled with my conscience and personally struggled being a Conservative Party member in recent times. "I have probably hung on longer than I should have, due to my loyalty for the local group and the friends I have made."He also went on to say he had witnessed treatment of other members of the party that did not "sit well" with him and that he no longer felt his contributions were valued. Goethe's letter said she made the decision "after much thought and reflection" and feels she can no longer serve the community with the "integrity it deserves" while remaining a Conservative member. She added: "My values have not changed, my commitment to local residents remain as strong as ever."The BBC has contacted the Conservative Party for comment. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
