BRIDPORT Town Council no longer has any Labour representatives after two councillors announced their departure from the party.

Rose Allwork and Sarah Carney have both terminated their membership of the Labour Party, citing their lack of faith in 'the party political system as a whole' and the 'current incarnation' of the Labour Party.

The pair have joined the Independent group on the council.

They said in a joint statement: "This has been a very difficult decision to make particularly because of our personal attachment to our local branch and its wonderful members who have a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others and with whom with have very much enjoyed working. However, in the light of recent events nationally we find we no longer have faith in the party political system as a whole, and the current incarnation of the Labour Party in particular.

"We understand that our position as town councillors is unaffected by our party membership and that, in law, it is us as individuals that residents have elected rather than the Party under which we stood. We have, therefore, decided to change our affiliation as Bridport Town councillors to Independent. We believe it makes more sense locally to have councillors who simply represent their constituents, not any one party line, and we wish to continue working closely together to support and engage with the residents of Bridport across party lines to the best of our ability.

"However, should the local Labour Party branch and its supporters decide that they wish to put forward new Labour candidates, we will be happy to resign our seats once Covid restrictions on by-elections are lifted.

"We are very sorry to be taking this action and hope that the Labour Party, and the Bridport branch, can come through this difficult time and move on to become a united and effective force for genuine transformative change for the good of all."