A PENKETH parish councillor has resigned from Labour after facing criticism from some of the party’s borough councillors over a ‘lack of involvement’ in election campaigning.

Cllr Dale Solan-Cooper, who represents the east ward, will continue in the role as an independent.

Independent Geoff Fellows stunned Labour’s Kenny Watson to secure the Penketh and Cuerdley borough council seat in last Thursday’s by-election

Independents Craig Lenihan and Christine Wych also won the two seats on Penketh Parish Council.

Cllr Solan-Cooper says he has felt ‘disillusioned’ with the way some Labour members in the area have ‘behaved’ over recent months.

He added: “I entered politics in April 2018 after I campaigned hard in my community against the yellow route option for the Western Link.

“This encouraged me to believe that I could make a genuine difference to my community.

“Being able to sit around the table in the parish council is of the upmost privilege for me and I will continue to do this for as long as my community have the confidence in me in doing what is right for them.

“Being part of the ‘community’ is far more rewarding than being part of a party where I am asked to vote a certain way, or not to say certain things.

"Open, honest and transparency is what our community needs.

“I was shocked at the level of criticism and ill feeling in the recent parish and borough campaign to other candidates, particularly criticism to myself by fellow Labour borough councillors for my lack of involvement in their campaigning.

“These reasons are why I have stepped down from the Labour Party and will continue my journey with my community as an unaffiliated party member.

“The electorate shouted loud and clear in the recent parish and borough elections to be free from any particular party treadmill, I believe this can only be the start of a great revolution for our village and this will wake up the sleeping giant of democracy.

“I look forward to working with fellow like-minded councillors to improve our community and I also look forward to the community supporting me on this journey and into the 2020 elections.”