Not a traitor, nor a splitter or a quitter

As you may have heard, I have resigned from Slough Labour Group.

I still remain elected councillor for Foxborough Ward.

The only difference is I now serve you as an independent councillor who is not tied to any whip system or party.

My values have not changed.

I will continue to serve residents with the same integrity, passion, determination and commitment as I have been doing since being elected in 2016.

I have chosen to resign because I do not agree with the 4.99 per cent increase to council tax proposed by the ruling Labour Group.

In a year that has brought with it a tsunami of grief, mental health concerns, high unemployment, an increase on domestic abuse and huge financial burdens, I felt this was too high and would prove too much for too many.

I have always maintained every resident matters, and this is not the first time I been left saddened to see we are moving forward without listening to residents’ concerns.

I made the decision to vote against this recommendation and resigned from the group.

After my resignation, the leader of the council lashed out and said: “All the people who choose to leave us, the same fate befalls them all, you never hear from them ever again because the public don’t put their faith in traitors and quitters and splitters.”

I am not a traitor, nor am I a splitter. I am a wife, a mother, a charity worker, and a local councillor who simply wants to improve the lives of the people of Foxborough and Slough.

I do not like the word quitter, however if I were one, I would have resigned many years ago for the continued victimisation I, and other minority women have faced behind the closed doors of Slough’s

Labour group, the only difference is Monday’s attack was in a public meeting on International Women’s Day.

You will hear a lot of spin in the coming weeks.

I simply ask that you judge me on my record.

I maintain that local politics is about local people and locally elected representatives who walk shoulder to shoulder with residents.

I will be standing in Foxborough Ward as an Independent councillor in the May 2021 elections despite the difficulties that will no doubt come my way.

If re-elected I will continue to voice the concerns of residents and be available to help with any issue.

I do not have a manifesto, instead, my priority will be the concerns and wellbeing of residents.

I will continue to focus on local services and promote social harmony, and champion the issues residents hold dear. I will continue to serve residents as a person of integrity.

I request residents judge me on my record rather than allowing the leader of the council to speak on their behalf.

Cllr MADHURI BEDI Independent, Foxborough