Labour councillors resign over Starmer's leadership

Three district councillors in Derbyshire have quit Labour in protest at the direction of the party under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Councillors Chris Kane, Emma Stevenson and Sandra Peake are all now listed as independents on the Bolsover District Council website.

Peake told the BBC: "I've got principles, it's not the Labour party I joined over 30 years ago."

A Labour Party spokesperson told the BBC the party was having to make "tough choices" in government.

Peake cited concerns over changes to welfare along with a lack of support for Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) women and the victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal.

"The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer," she added.

She also distanced herself from reports her decision to quit the party was also down to the performance of the Labour MP for Bolsover, Natalie Fleet.

However, Peake did suggest constituents felt their MP was hard to contact, a view the BBC understands is shared among other members of the local Labour branch.

"We miss Dennis Skinner," she said.

In response, Fleet said: "As the MP for Bolsover, I'm dedicated to delivering for my constituents.

"Whether it be helping families through casework, supporting charities and businesses in the community, or raising pressing issues in the Commons, they are always my priority.

"It is such a privilege to serve residents, I try to meet as many of them as possible, and urge anyone who needs my support to get in touch."

It is also understood that the recent policies unveiled by the party in Westminster on welfare have contributed to unhappiness within the local party beyond the three councillors who have resigned.

However, the group do not expect any more resignations.

The Labour leader of Bolsover District Council, Jane Yates, said she was "extremely sorry to lose three valued Labour councillors".

"I would welcome them back into the party in the future if they changed their minds," she told the BBC.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: "Labour has had to make tough choices in the wake of 14 years of Tory-led chaos and decline, including on how to fix the broken welfare system we inherited, which is failing everyone.

"But this Labour government is delivering on our Plan for Change. Waiting lists are coming down, breakfast clubs are being rolled out, and the minimum wage is rising.

"Now we must bring about a new era of security and renewal in a world which is changing before our eyes.

"Our Labour councillors in Bolsover are dedicated to serving and delivering for their residents, and will continue to fix the foundations in Derbyshire."

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