A former Labour councillor who acrimoniously quit after being barred from standing as a candidate has formed a new party. Coun Matt Wynne will lead the Edgeley Community Association (ECA) - now registered with the Electoral Commission - at Stockport council’s ‘all out’ local elections in May.
As its name suggests, the fledgling party will concentrate on the new Edgeley ward, which is set to separate from Cheadle Heath under a boundary shake-up. Coun Wynne launched a blistering attack on his local party last year, claiming he had fallen victim to a ‘weaponised’ selection process following a ‘gradual takeover’ of what he called the ‘far left’.
It is understood the national Labour Party was satisfied selections were followed in accordance with its rules and processes. He has now regrouped to found the ECA and - together with Leah Taylor and Asa Caton - will challenge for the three Edgeley seats on the council.
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While Coun Wynne says he ultimately found leaving Labour ‘liberating’ he said he admits he ‘can't carry the torch alone’. “Not a day goes by that I don't count myself not just lucky but privileged to represent this area,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“But it also comes with its challenges, too , that need good, quality representatives - a team which was custom and practice in Edgeley up until recently. The foundations of that are now in place. The good work and incredible sense of community we have round here needs a platform to ensure it continues to hold its own. “
Coun Wynne says part of the ECA’s vision is to bring community groups together for the good of the area.
“Our community and faith groups do so much fine work, so the creation of a forum, a body, that gets us all in one room, singing from the same hymn sheet and binding together and enhancing the sense of common good we have locally seems, not just a positive step but a naturally progressive one too,”
Coun Wynne adds that the party offers a ‘fresh focus on a number of priorities’ set by residents.“Nearly 50 local residents attended our first public meeting on a dark Monday evening in February at the Alexandra Public House,” he said.
“It was an electric meeting with plenty taken away from it to work on, I think that speaks for itself. We are on the cusp of a local movement.”
Despite the ECA being ‘hyper-local’ in nature, Coun Wynne believes it can still hold sway at the town hall. “Small groups have incredible amounts of power, you can make or break votes based on conscience on what counts for the people you represent and the borough as a whole,” he said.
Stockport council has been in ‘no overall control’ since 2011, with Labour and the Lib Dems - who are currently at the helm - often battling it out to form the administration.
That is not expected to change in May. So could Coun Wynne - who says the ECA still holds Labour values - back his old party to take the reins again in May?
“It's been discussed briefly,” he said. “If it manages to sort itself out by May, [and Labour] puts forward a leader that will be able to lead the council and to set a budget, it is a possibility.”
“At the moment they are going into local elections with a leader and deputy leader that are leaving public office in May.”
Asked if he could back the Lib Dem - as he did at the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath by-election - he says the current administration has ‘not filled me with confidence’. “I backed their candidate as he touched base with me, laid out his plan for Edgeley and what he offers,” he added.
"I fear the local Labour Party aren't up to the job until the national party comes in to sort this mess out and we intend to send that message.”
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