Three councillors who quit Labour speak out for first time since shock resignation

Crompton councillors Martin McMulkin, Bilkis Ismail and Hanif Darvesh quit the party to become independent councillors on Friday, leaving the Labour group with just 18 councillors in Bolton, down from 37 only four years ago.

Speaking for the first time since their shock resignation, the ex-Labour councillors criticised the group for not accepting that change is required, claiming that those who speak out and raise concerns are “vilified”.

This comes just weeks after newly-elected Labour leader Nick Peel promised to start a “new conversation” with the people of Bolton – but the Cromtpon councillors described him as an “extension” of the previous leadership.

In a joint statement, the trio claim a number of Labour group councillors have become “disenfranchised”, and have felt “frustrated” and “disillusioned” with the “dysfunctional” leadership of the Labour group in recent months.

They said: “Differences of opinion and healthy debate, without the fear of abuse of power and reprisals, should be the cornerstone of any political group. Unfortunately, that is not the case within the Bolton Labour group.

“Councillors and group observers have been subjected to bullying and abusive treatment by the Bolton Labour group leadership and a mockery has been made of democratic processes.

“Silence has been bought via coercive practices and the dissenting opinions of backbenchers and party members have been consistently ignored. All of this has been done with the tacit silence, and approval, of the regional office.

“The Labour group is not a group of equals or a meritocracy but a group with an autocratic leadership.

“After a lot of soul-searching, we have come to the conclusion that we can no longer be associated with the Bolton Labour group as to do so would be to condone their actions and practices.

“We have therefore decided that it is in the best interests of our residents and ourselves that we resign from the Bolton Labour group with immediate effect and become independent councillors.

“We cannot justify spending any further time and energy on the constant, unpleasant infighting within the Bolton Labour group.

“We are the voice for the residents of Crompton Ward and are not being heard by the Labour group.

“We do believe that as Independent councillors we can represent our residents more effectively, as we will no longer be constrained by petty internal Labour group politics.

Responding to the statement, Cllr Peel said his task of uniting the group is “still on track” despite the resignation of the three Crompton councillors.

He said: “I said to the Labour group and the wider party, that we need to put our differences aside, admit we have made mistakes in the past and try to regain public trust.

“I set out from the beginning to vastly improve openness and transparency in the group and our relationship with the public.

“Despite the resignation of the Crompton councillors, my task is still on track.

“I wanted them to be part of the transformation I want to see, but they were not willing to be involved with this.

“The statement that they have made paints a picture of the Labour group that few would recognise.

“However, they have made the decision not to be a part of the change that would have actually addressed their own perceptions.

“At the end of the day, their actions now mean that we now have a united Labour group who are very much on board with rebuilding our Party.

“The truth is that the Labour Party can now only grow from this position. It won’t be an easy task, but it will be done, and will include the retaking of the three Crompton seats, whose residents desperately need a Labour Council.”