Salford's only Lib Dem councillor quits after taking role in council 200 miles away
24.11.2023 - 16:07
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The only Liberal Democrat councillor for Salford Quays has quit with immediate effect. Alex Warren, 31, has resigned the seat he has held for 19 months to take up a role as a political assistant to Watford Borough Council mayor Peter Taylor.
Former Coun Warren told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that to continue as a Salford councillor would have been illegal after taking on a ‘non-political’ role. He has left his home in Salford Quays and is relocating to Watford.
It is unclear whether his resignation will spark a local council by-election, with the possibility it could be held in May 2024 during the next local elections cycle. Mr Warren was the only Lib Dem representative on the city council following the furore over former colleague Chris Twells’ election to an authority in the Cotswolds more than 100 miles away in the May local elections.
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Coun Twells still has a seat in Salford - in the Ordsall ward - but sits as an Independent. Mr Warren said: “I’ve been on the council for a year and seven months, but in terms of campaigning for the people of Salford Quays, it’s been a lot longer.
“When you are the only person [in your party] on the council, it’s tough, to be honest. Working with Labour has been horrific. They’ve not been nice since I started.”
He went on: “Working with and representing people on issues that matter to them in Salford Quays over the last four years has been one of the biggest privileges of my life. It’s a special area, with MediaCityUK here, the Lowry Theatre, the industrial history of the Manchester Ship Canal, with its very own unique wildlife
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