Nottinghamshire CC’s Labour group has lost control of the county it won in last year’s local elections, following the resignation of a councillor who was once England’s youngest mayor.
The decision of Cllr Ian Campbell to resign the Labour whip and become and independent councillor was made in protest against Nottinghamshire’s cuts to bus services and what he said was privatisation of NHS drug and alcohols services.
Cllr Campbell, aged 27, said he held on to ‘traditional Labour values’.
‘When I voted against the NHS issue I was disciplined, sent a written warning by the chief whip and removed from the economic development committee,’ said Cllr Campbell.
He said he was prepared to vote against Labour, and would judge every issue on its merits.
His deaparture leaves Nottinghamshire’s Labour group - whose success in wresting back Nottinghamshire from Conservative control represented a highlight in an otherwise disappointing national set of local elections results in 2013 – with 33 seats out of a total of 67.
‘Ian Campbell’s decision is especially disappointing coming only months after he was elected as Labour district councillor for East Retford West and just over 12 months after being elected as a Labour county councillor,’ said Cllr Alan Rhodes, leader of Nottinghamshire CC.
But he added the resignation still left Labour the largest party, and in the event of a tied vote the Labour chairman of the council held the casting vote.