Councillor steps down for personal reasons

to ‘ongoing personal commitments.’

Clr Wilson, who defected from the Conservatives to the Lib Dems in 2018, was due to contest her seat in the May elections.

But she has decided to step down.

Anthony Smith will be the Liberal Democrat candidate this year, fighting to join Clr Cahal Burke and Clr Richard Eastwood in the Lindley ward.

Clr Wilson said: “I would like to thank my colleagues in Lindley and the wider party, who have all been great to work with and have been enormously supportive. It’s been an amazing privilege to work with them.

“I’ve had to step back at times this year for personal reasons but I believe that Lindley has an excellent candidate in Anthony Smith, who has my full support.

“Of course, I’m looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues at all the various community events in Lindley.”

Her colleagues paid tribute to her work.

Clr Burke said: “I would like to thank Gemma for her hard work this year. It’s been great to have a united team in Lindley and to be able to work together to support our residents.

“We have to look forward now, and I would like to welcome our new candidate.

“Anthony lives locally and is a longstanding member of the party.

“He’s also hugely active in the community and has been working closely with local community groups for a long time. He’s a hard worker and I’m confident that he would be a fantastic addition to our team and to Lindley.

“We’ll continue to fight to get a good deal for local people and work together for the people of Lindley ward.”

It’s been an amazing privilege to work with

my colleagues in Lindley and the wider

party