Councillor Pete Lowe, a member of the Labour Party for over forty years, has resigned as leader of Dudley Labour Group - and the Labour Party.
Councillor Lowe posted to X:
After 41 years I have resigned as leader of Dudley Labour Group...and the Labour Party.
I cannot be true to my principles and condemn the Tory cuts to the most vulnerable and not condemn the Government.
People before Party...Principle before Power!
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Councillor Pete Lowe's statement in full:
Councillor Pete Lowe INDEPENDENT
Today I have resigned my position as Leader of Dudley Labour and left the Labour Party. I have been a member of the Labour Party for more than 40 years, fighting for social justice, welfare support for those most in need and for workers' rights. Although I have contemplated my future in the party under Sir Keir Starmer's leadership over the last few years, I always believed I could better serve my community from within the Labour Party. I no longer believe that is the case.
The national party leadership is not only silencing voices within the party who dare to speak up for the those we were elected to serve, but they are also attacking the most vulnerable in society. First, they came for the pensioners and our children and now they are coming for the sick, vulnerable and disabled.
The Labour Party may not have been perfect but it always offered support for the working class. Unfortunately, I no longer feel this is the case. I have outstayed my welcome, hoping I could influence, change and create Labour policy but my voice too has been ignored.
I have much respect for colleagues and friends within the Dudley Labour Group and will work with them where I can to promote a fairer community. I will additionally be looking at all options that allows the bostin' people of Dudley to have a real voice and alternative in the weeks, months and years to come.
I am leaving the Labour Party to spend more time on politics for the people!
Pete Lowe
https://twitter.com/LabourPete/status/1902450593425408032
