National party politics ‘gets in the way’

NATIONAL politics being inflicted at a local level is the reason one Nailsea councillor has decided to leave his party ahead of the forthcoming local elections.

Councillor Andy Cole, who has represented Nailsea East as a Liberal Democrat with North Somerset Council for the past 16 years said on May 5 he would be standing as an independent candidate.

He said he believed it was important to represent the community without being “hamstrung” by national party policy.

Mr Cole said: “This has been a difficult decision for me, but I believe that I am making the right decision.

“In my opinion the most important reason to be involved in local politics is to represent and protect your local community and to do your utmost to help local people with planning and other numerous issues.”

Mr Cole, who is also a Nailsea town councillor, said he had been impressed by the actions and decisions of independent councillors on North Somerset Council.

He added: “I have been particularly impressed by the two independents in the neighbouring Backwell ward, who are highly respected in their ward, Karen Barclay and Tom Collinson.”