Two Ely councillors quit Liberal Democrats to become Independent
Cllr Sue Austen and Cllr Paola Trimarco, both councillors for Ely West in East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC), announced that they have left the Liberal Democratic group of the council. Picture: SUPPLIED - Credit: Archant
Two Ely councillors have quit the Liberal Democrats to become Independent due to “party politics”.
Cllr Paola Trimarco has left the Liberal Democratic group of the council. Picture: SUPPLIED - Credit: Archant
Cllr Sue Austen and Cllr Paola Trimarco, both councillors for Ely West in East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC), announced that they have left the Liberal Democratic group of the council today (February 21).
Sue Austen, who is mayor elect of the City of Ely and vice chair of ECDC, has lived in the district for more than 40 years and has been an ECDC councillor since 2007.
She has served on Ely Parish Council since 2015.
She said: "I've enjoyed doing my council work for the past 13 years, and I will continue to support and represent my ward members.
Cllr Sue Austen has left the Liberal Democratic group of the council. Picture: SUPPLIEDand Cllr Paola Trimarco, both councillors for Ely West in East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC), announced that they have left the Liberal Democratic group of the council. Picture: SUPPLIED - Credit: Archant
You may also want to watch:
"I will also continue to work with my council colleagues. I believe that party politics should not come into local government."
Dr Paola Trimarco has lived in Cambridgeshire since 1998 and was elected to ECDC in May 2019.
Most Read
- 1 Rowdy passengers force train cancellation
- 2 Daughter sets fire to father's bedroom after food outrage
- 3 Sparkling sake brewery launches in Ely
- 4 Man, 20, rapes woman as she slept, court told
- 5 Police buy clothes for Iranian children rescued from lorry
- 6 Woman delighted to finally be a mum after infertility heartache
- 7 Child rapist from St Ives has been jailed after abuse
- 8 Have your say on plans to improve city rail station
- 9 Teen rape case prompts city market safety review
- 10 St Neots murder to feature in 24 Hours in Police Custody
She's a writer and linguist and works for The Open University.
She said: "I've enjoyed my council work and the chance to serve my community.
"Even though I'm a relative newcomer to the council, too often I've seen party politics cloud people's better judgement.
"I'd prefer to work across parties, especially now given the climate crisis and the many challenges facing the district. I think I can better serve Ely West Ward as an Independent councillor."
