A Bury councillor has announced she is quitting the Conservative Party after 22 years.
Cllr Yvonne Wright revealed she will stand as an independent candidate in the local elections in May.
She says she made the “difficult decision” because her values no longer align with the party.
The ward councillor for Tottington, Walshaw and Affetside has been a Conservative councillor since 2000.
In a social media post, she said: “Today I took the difficult decision to leave Bury Conservatives and aim to stand as an INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE in the local elections in May.
“Why?
“My values are no longer aligned to Bury Conservatives… please let me leave it there!
“Note I will not be briefing against anyone and I certainly will not be joining any other party.
“I hope I can rely on your support as you can rely on me to continue to work hard for you as I have for the past 22 years.
“I love my role as a Tottington Councillor and am as keen now to be a good representative as I was back in 2000.
“There is still life yet …in this old gal!”
