Peterborough councillor quits Green Party over clash of beliefs

Kirsty Knight, a Peterborough city councillor, says she will stand as independent in the May elections

A city councillor said she had resigned from the Green Party because of a difference in beliefs.

Kirsty Knight, who sits on Peterborough City Council, said she did not "believe the party is green anymore".

She said she would continue to represent residents in her ward of Orton Waterville and would stand as an independent in the May local elections.

"Due to recent developments in the Peterborough Green Party, I have decided to part ways," she said.

"Their beliefs don't coincide with mine anymore."

She said by becoming an independent, she had listened to residents in her ward, and added: "I don't believe the party is green anymore."

When asked to explain why her beliefs no longer coincided with the party, she said she could not elaborate at this time.

Peterborough First runs the council as a minority administration after ousting the former Conservative leadership in 2023.

Within the council, there are now three independent party members: Ms Knight, Mohammed Rangzeb and Julie Stevenson.

Nicola Day and Heather Skibsted are the two remaining Green members.

The Green Party group on Peterborough council was approached for comment.