Why I'm taking the Independent path

摘要

Just over a week ago, along with around a dozen current and former councillors, I endorsed The Independent Group in Parliament. Two days earlier, after more than a quarter of a century as a member, I resigned my membership of the Labour Party. As leader of Brighton & Hove City Council for three years until last May, I know how damaging the current Government's policies have been to councils and local services, and how desperate the need is for change. However, that change cannot come at any price. I have never believed Jeremy Corbyn and those around him were right to lead Labour, and events over the past three years have convinced me he should not be Prime Minister. These include: his clear support for Brexit, with the catastrophic consequences this will have for our economy, our public services and our communities, his inaction and tacit endorsement of the anti-semitism that seems to be inherent in the world view of so many who form his support base and the culture of factional bullying and intimidation that has seen so many good and decent Labour councillors forced from their roles, regardless of their record.