Councillor quits Conservatives to sit as Independent

Louisa Fowler is a councillor on West Northamptonshire Council

A councillor has defected from her authority's Conservative group to sit as a non-aligned Independent.

Louisa Fowler was elected in 2021 to the Towcester and Roade ward of West Northamptonshire Council.

The leader of the Conservative group, Adam Brown, said he was "disappointed" by her choice.

Earlier this year, Richard Solesbury-Timms defected from the Tories to the Independent group on the council.

Ms Fowler is a member of the council's Children, Education and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

She was Head of Careers at Northampton School for Girls and now works for an organisation that helps young people who face challenges to get funded places at state boarding or independent schools.

In a statement, Adam Brown, who is also the council's leader, said: "It was Louisa’s decision to leave the [Conservative] group so I don’t feel it’s appropriate for me to share the details.

"I’m disappointed that she’s made this choice but I wish her well for the future."

The BBC has approached Ms Fowler for comment.