In a significant political shift, twenty councillors from Broxtowe Borough Council in Nottinghamshire have resigned from the Labour Party, expressing discontent with the party’s current direction under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
The group alleges that Labour has strayed from its foundational principles, highlighting specific policy disagreements, such as the reduction of winter fuel allowances for pensioners.
Among the resigning members is Council Leader Milan Radulovic, a dedicated Labour member for 42 years.
Radulovic expressed profound disappointment, stating, “I cannot support and will not support another centrist government intent on destroying local democracy and dictating national policy from a high pedestal.”
He also criticised proposed local government reorganisations that could potentially eliminate district and borough councils, describing them as a move towards centralisation that undermines local representation.
The departing councillors plan to establish a new independent party and intend to manage the borough council as a minority administration.
They may seek collaboration with existing independent councillors to maintain governance.
Additionally, they claim that ten of their members were barred from standing in upcoming local elections after voicing concerns over party policies.
A local Labour spokesperson labeled the resignations as “incredibly disappointing,” emphasising that the councillors were elected on a Labour platform just 18 months prior.
The spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment of the remaining Labour councillors to serve residents and collaborate with MPs to enhance the community.
This development reflects growing grassroots dissatisfaction with the national party’s policies, suggesting that internal critiques may extend beyond Broxtowe.
The situation underscores the importance of aligning party policies with the values and expectations of local representatives and their constituents, as Reform UK do here in Rochester & Strood.
Source: BBC News