Mayor quits Labour Party to sit as an independent

Councillor Paul Joyce has left the Labour Party to sit as an independent on West Northamptonshire Council

The mayor of Northampton has left the Labour Party to sit as a non-aligned independent.

Paul Joyce represents Headlands ward on West Northamptonshire Council and is town mayor for this year.

He revealed, that last month, he was deselected as a candidate for the next local elections in May.

"I feel I’ve worked hard and decided, for the last four or five months, I would sit as an independent," he explained.

Mr Joyce has been a councillor for nearly eight years, including for the town council, and also served on the now dismantled Northampton Borough Council.

In a statement, the Labour group on the local authority described it as "sad news".

It added: "Paul has been an active and dedicated member of the group on both West Northants and Northampton borough councils for many years, especially on his passions of the environment and workers' rights.

"We are sad to see Paul go and wish him all the best representing residents in his beloved Headlands as an independent councillor.”