Councillor leaves Labour over poll postponement

A City of Lincoln councillor who has been a Labour Party member for 50 years says he has resigned and will now sit as an Independent, in protest at the postponement of local elections.

Councillor Neil Murray said the leading Labour group had "misled" the public and delayed the vote because they were "frightened" of losing their seats.

The Labour group said his comments did not accurately reflect its discussions about the delay of elections.

Thirty English councils will postpone elections, which were due to be held in May until 2027, as part of a major reorganisation of local government.

Murray joined the Labour Party at 18 and first became a councillor in 1983.

He said he was proud of the party's achievements but could no longer represent it.

The long-serving Murray represents Carholme Ward on both City of Lincoln Council and Lincolnshire County Council.

He also said two private Labour group meetings were held to discuss and vote on postponing the elections.

"At both meetings a majority voted to cancel," he said, adding: "It was clear that quite a few of those people were worried about losing their seats or their position on the council. It was crystal clear they were frightened."

He also criticised what he called an undemocratic process: "We should have had a meeting of the council after consulting the people we represent. Secrecy is unacceptable."

City of Lincoln Council said: "Holding an election in 2026 to appoint eleven councillors would have cost approximately £170,000."

Murray said this was an "excuse", adding: "They've misled the public in Lincoln in an act of self-preservation and I don't want to be identified with that."

The Labour group said: "Although his decision is disappointing, it will not diminish the commitment of our Labour councillors to continue delivering for the City of Lincoln - whether by freezing Council Tax, protecting our leisure centres or supporting those most in need."

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices