Salford Quay's only Lib Dem councillor quits for new role

Alex Warren resigned the seat he has held for 19 months to relocate to Watford

The only Liberal Democrat councillor for Salford Quays has quit with immediate effect.

Alex Warren resigned the seat he has held for 19 months to take up a role as a political assistant to Watford Borough Council mayor Peter Taylor.

The 31-year-old has left his home in Salford Quays and is relocating to Watford.

He said representing the area over the last four years "has been one of the biggest privileges of my life".

Mr Warren told the Local Democracy Reporting Service to continue as a Salford councillor would have been illegal after taking on a "non-political" role.

It is unclear whether his resignation will spark a local council by-election, with the possibility it could be held in May 2024 during the next local elections.

Mr Warren was the only Lib Dem representative on the city council following controversy after former colleague Chris Twells won a Cotswold District Council seat on 4 May, despite already sitting on Salford City Council.

Mr Twells still has a seat in Salford - in the Ordsall ward - but sits as an Independent.

Mr Warren said: "I've been on the council for a year and seven months, but in terms of campaigning for the people of Salford Quays, it's been a lot longer.

"When you are the only person [in your party] on the council, it's tough, to be honest," he said.

"It's a special area, with MediaCityUK here, the Lowry Theatre, the industrial history of the Manchester Ship Canal, with its very own unique wildlife habitat."

Mr Warren also said he was proud of the campaign he mounted to get late night trams put on from Manchester to the Quays.

Salford City Council declined to comment.