A COUNCILLOR has left the Conservatives after concluding the party’s policies “are not in the residents’ best interests”.

Redhill and Northbourne ward member Jackie Edwards said at BCP Council there appeared to be a focus on “too many major expensive schemes” and a “lack of getting the basics right”.

She said recent national events involving the Conservative Party filled her with “utter dismay”.

Councillor Edwards, who was first elected in 2015, will now sit as an unaligned Independent with an intention to stand in next year’s election.

Her decision to leave the Conservative Party leaves the BCP Council Tory group with 36 councillors, according to the local authority’s website.

There are 39 members representing other groups or sitting as Independents. One councillor position is currently vacant, although it is due to be filled this week with a by-election in the Highcliffe and Walkford ward.

In a statement, Cllr Edwards said: “I have thought long and hard about my decision to leave the Conservative Party.

“I have come to realise that I can no longer support the Conservative Party locally and nationally especially in policies that I don’t believe are in the residents’ best interests.

“While understanding the local government reorganisation and the pandemic have been difficult times for BCP Council, there has seemingly been a lack of getting the basics right and more interest in too many major expensive schemes.”

Cllr Edwards, who has lived in Bournemouth since the early 1990s, is currently chair of the health and adult social care overview and scrutiny committee and she also sits on the corporate and community overview and scrutiny committee.

Her statement added: “I will continue to work for the residents of Redhill and Northbourne as an Independent and will stand in the next election as an Independent councillor.

“This will give me more freedom to scrutinise policies and plans without a party whip.

“I do not intend to be part of a group and I have come to believe party politics nationally do not work well in local politics. Recent events with the Conservatives nationally have also filled me with utter dismay.”

BCP Conservative Group leader Cllr Drew Mellor said: “Although disappointed to lose Jackie from the party and therefore the group, she has been a valued colleague and we look forward to working closely together in the future – as we do with all colleagues from all parties and none.”