After much contemplation and a decade of serving Labour I have made the decision to leave the party. Politics was never something I saw myself involved in, as many people from working class backgrounds it simply seemed like a space not for people like me.

After first being elected as a Councillor in 2019 on a platform of genuinely transformative policies that would have given people the economic security so gravely needed. The Labour Party of 2024 feels a world away from the hope and genuine change that inspired me to campaign for the party. The positions of the national party now are so far away from those inspirational policies of 2017 & 2019 that got me involved in politics.

I did not come into politics to support the two child benefit cap. I didn’t enter politics to threaten disabled people into exploitative work. I didn’t come to this political party to fight to protect the status quo of working class people being punished for the mistakes of the richest people in society. I came to politics because I genuinely believed I could make a difference, and at a local level I believe to many residents I have made a difference. The frustration is the real systemic change that’s needed is just not on the agenda. Everyone seems happy to play around the edges and make cosmetic changes that have no real impact on peoples lives.

I will continue in my role, now sitting as an Independent Councillor and continue using my voice for those who feel disenfranchised by our broken political system. I will continue supporting and empowering community groups. All that will change is I will no longer be tied to an outdated whip system that holds us to ransom to tow the party line, a party line that has stopped any expression on the conflict in Gaza, a line that has stagnated discussion on paying workers a proper wage for far too long. Whipped to vote against the interests of workers sadly on more than one occasion.

Now more than ever we need people who offer hope, who understand the challenges that people face, who will act and build a society that doesn’t just work for a small minority. The future of real change won’t come from powerful people making decisions on our behalf. It will come from ordinary people like you engaging with candidates you can believe in.

Power should be in the hands of the people.

All of the people.

Be nice if you'd attended the meetings you should have done instead of missing 57% of them. Took the expenses, never put the work in for the people who voted for you.

We all know Labour has changed under the liar Starmers leadership and the lies he told to get the party leaders position and the lying has continued.

His resignation reasons get no argument just his attendance record!