After twelve years of dedicated service, Nathan Hartley, former Lib-Dem Ward Councillor for Peasedown St John and previous Deputy Leader, has resigned from the Party with immediate effect. He announced his decision on Sunday and will continue to represent the ward of Peasedown St John on B&NES Council, but as an Independent Councillor.

In a letter to Paul Crossley, Lib-Dem Leader of B&NES Council, Nathan Hartley expresses his concern about the current Council administration, saying it has 'No clear vision or direction' and warns that 'there is a growing sense of arrogance within the local party', saying that 'none of us have a God-given right to govern. We must earn it.'

He said: 'My frustration and unhappiness with the local Party has grown in recent months for a variety of reasons. Largely because the decisions taken by the Lib-Dem authority have not benefitted Peasedown St John and its residents. I had naively thought that once the Party took control of the Council, my residents would see their quality of life

increase for the better, but instead, it has had the opposite effect.

'I joined the Liberal Democrats twelve years ago, as a seventeen-year-old wanting to make a difference in my community. All these years on, I've not lost my passion or dedication to the village I grew up in, I just don't believe the Lib-Dems are any longer the best vehicle to help bring about the change my village needs.'

'Since last summer, I've increasingly come into conflict with local Liberal Democrat policy and actions and have always felt forced to choose between the people of Peasedown and Party policy.

'On every occasion when I've been forced to choose – I've chosen Peasedown and always will. My strong local connections mean more to me than a Party that is quickly losing its principles, values and its soul.'

Bath and North East Somerset's Liberal Democrats issued a statement this week following Nathan Hartley's departure. It said: 'Following an extended and continuing disciplinary process, Cllr Hartley has resigned from the Liberal Democrat Group and Party with immediate effect.

'Cllr Hartley will continue to represent the ward of Peasedown on Bath and North East Somerset as an Independent.

'Cllr Sarah Bevan, who also represents Peasedown St John, said: "I'm disappointed that it has come to this. Peasedown has benefitted from having Lib-Dem Councillors working with the Lib-Dem administration. I'm sure that Nathan and I will continue to have a good working relationship so we can deliver more for our area."

'Cllr Paul Crossley, Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Liberal Democrat Council Group, said: "The past eighteen months have been a difficult time for Nathan. The group has repeatedly offered support for him, but this has not been taken up.

Unfortunately, there have been a number of issues that we could not ignore and having been informed that the Liberal Democrat Group were to discuss these issues on Thursday, (30th January), Nathan took the decision to resign. The Liberal Democrat administration will continue to deliver a stronger economy and fairer society for residents across Bath and North East Somerset."

'Shaun McGall, Chair of the Bath and North East Somerset Liberal Democrats, commented: "It is disappointing when any member feels the need to resign, but sadly Nathan did not feel able to answer to the disciplinary charges against him."

Commenting this week, Nathan said: "I'm disappointed with the official Lib-Dem response to my resignation, but not surprised.

"Yes, there were two complaints made by fellow Councillors about me last year, both concerning the way I was handling issues in Peasedown St John, with regards to speaking out against Party policy. I attended a meeting with one Councillor and apologised to another. But, on both occasions, I made it clear that I wasn't going to compromise on putting Party policy above the needs of my residents.

"The final straw came at the recent B&NES Council meeting, when I decided to rebel against the Lib-Dem Whip and vote with the opposition to keep all of our Children's Centres open. After being informed by the leadership that at a meeting on 30th January, this issue would be discussed, I decided not to stick around – I'd only be made to feel guilty again for putting my village first.

"As for the last eighteen months of my life being difficult, far from it – I've been to Singapore, the Philippines, Turkey and Dubai and spent a month trekking around India. I've been heavily involved with the campaign to introduce equal marriage and adopted a whole new philosophical approach to life."