Ex-mayor criticises Starmer in resignation letter

Claire Darke said she had been a dedicated city councillor for 16 years and was resigning with a "heavy heart"

A former mayor of Wolverhampton and long-serving councillor has resigned from the Labour Party in a critical open letter to leader Keir Starmer.

Claire Darke accused the party under its leader of straying from its core values and marginalising diverse voices.

Mrs Darke, who will now become an Independent councillor in Park Ward, said she resigned with a "heavy heart", but hoped her letter served "as a wake-up call" to others.

A spokesperson for Labour said Mr Starmer changed the party into one which is "proudly country first, party second" and if elected it would return to serving "working people".

Mrs Darke served as mayor between 2019 and 2021 and said she had been "a dedicated city councillor" for 16 years.

She alleged that the labour party has become "increasingly autocratic".

She also alleged some members of the Wolverhampton Labour Party have faced "intimidation and threats from local party officials".

She also criticised the party's commitment to "continued austerity" and Brexit, which she said would further undermine jobs, education, and opportunities in Wolverhampton, saying it amounted to an "inexcusable abandonment" of the working class.

The party's position on Gaza was "morally wrong", she added, saying she supported a permanent ceasefire and ban on arms sales to Israel.

In February, the party called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

A Labour spokesperson said: "Keir Starmer has changed the Labour party into one which is proudly country first, party second - with a manifesto for change.

"If we are privileged enough to be elected, then Labour will be returning the government to the service of working people."