Tameside councillor who left ‘toxic’ Labour speaks out

A former Labour councillor in Tameside said his resignation was sparked by ‘toxic culture’ of the party and recent welfare cuts. 

Councillor Gary Ferguson made the shock decision to leave the party at the beginning of last week, which Labour have described as ‘disappointing’.

But now he has spoken out against his old party, criticising the way it operates. 

The Longdendale councillor branded the organisation ‘toxic’ and regarded the recent intervention from Labour’s National Executive Board (NEC) as unacceptable.  

The NEC appointed a campaign improvement board (CIB) in October to bring about a ‘culture change’ at the authority. It came following repeated failures in the council’s children’s services – but the interruption was not wholly welcomed.

The  last straw for the ex-Labour politician was the recent welfare cuts announced in the Spring Budget, which meant thousands on disability benefits could lose out on financial support.

Councillor Ferguson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The reasons why I am leaving the Labour Party are many and varied. In principle I find myself in dispute with many aspects of our national policy and the recent welfare cuts.

“The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has, by their own economic forecast, called this into question. I believe this is not right and will have a devastating effect on some of the most vulnerable within our community.

“The fact that an extra 50,000 pensioners will be placed in relative poverty this year with announcements on fuel cuts is really difficult to accept from a Labour government.

“Locally within Tameside Council, the toxic culture I believe existed, still exists. The marginalisation of councillors and the way in which appointments are made to the executive board, I can’t accept.

“This is the best way forward for my constituents and the residents of Tameside.

“I believe that the way the council is being controlled, as I understand by external forces (NEC), suggests to me there is a hidden agenda that undermines the principle of a locally elected council.

“With regard to all my constituents, no matter who you voted for, if you feel let down or betrayed by this decision, it has taken a lot of soul searching and I believe is the only position left open to me.”

He went on to say that he will continue to serve the residents of Longdendale as best he can, but as an independent councillor. He thanked all those who have supported him following the decision.

A Labour spokesperson added: “Labour inherited a broken welfare system from the Conservatives, which risked a generation of young people being written off and millions of people who want to work not getting the support they need.

“Labour will deliver a social security system that is fit for the future.”