Labour Loses Control at Cheshire West and Chester Council After Two Councillors Quit

Labour has lost overall control of Cheshire West and Chester Council after two councillors, Jimmy Shannon and Elizabeth MacGlashan, resigned from the party citing disillusionment with national Labour policies, particularly changes to disability benefits. Both councillors will continue to serve as unaligned independents, emphasizing their desire to vote with conscience and represent the working class and vulnerable populations, which they believe Labour no longer adequately supports. Their departure leaves Labour with 35 seats, equal to the combined opposition, resulting in a council under no overall control and potentially leading to deadlocked votes or the need for Labour to form alliances to pass measures. Labour leader Louise Gittins expressed sadness over the resignations but affirmed that the Labour group remains united and committed to delivering their agenda. The Conservative opposition has criticized the resignations as evidence of chaos within Labour's council leadership. This development reflects broader tensions within Labour regarding its direction and policies under the current national government.