Labour man steps down for ‘family and work reasons’
ANOTHER politician has quit Hyndburn’s strifetorn Labour group.
Chris Knight has stood down as councillor for St Oswald’s ward with immediate effect - despite not being up for re-election until May next year.
The married father-oftwo said his decision was for ‘family and work reasons’ and he remained a member of the Labour Party.
The IT team leader at Studio Retail Group is the latest of string of the party’s politicians to stand down ahead of May 5’s
Hyndburn local elections.
They include Spring Hill’s Cllr Diane Fielding, Netherton’s Cllr Bernadette Parkinson (wife of the borough leader Miles), Huncoat’s Dave Parkins, and Overton’s Jenny Molineux who has also quit the Labour Party branding its Hyndburn culture ‘toxic’.
Her husband Gareth quit Labour last year and is standing for the Conservatives in Overton ward, while former Labour candidate Shahid Mahmood is doing the same in Milnshaw ward.
Hyndburn council Conservative group deputy leader Cllr Peter Britcliffe said: “The Labour Party in Hyndburn is falling apart.
“There are forces of darkness at work in Hyndburn Labour Party. Far be it from me to say who or what they are.
“Voters would be welladvised to take note of this with local council elections on May 5.”
Mr Knight, who has represented his Oswaldtwistle ward since 2019, said: “I am standing down from the council for family and work reasons.
“I have decided it is time to concentrate on my career and my family. I remain a member of the Labour Party and may stand again in Hyndburn or Rossendale where I now live in Haslingden if time allows in future.
“Now seemed a good time to stand down so the by-election could be held at the same time as the main local elections.
“I did not want to cause a separate by election which would be expensive for the council.”
Cllr Miles Parkinson, Labour leader, said: “Chris is standing down due to his personal commitments.
“He has been an excellent councillor for St Oswald’s ward. It is perfectly normal for councillors not to stand again or stand down for a wide variety of reasons.”
A Hyndburn council spokeswoman said: “I can confirm Cllr Chris Knight has informed the council of his resignation with immediate effect.”