Shock Labour resignation rocks council meeting

A shock resignation from a long-time Labour Party member rocked the latest town hall meeting in Tameside.

Just as council leader Eleanor Wills was about to address the chamber in Dukinfield Town Hall, Coun Ann Holland got up to announce she was quitting the Labour Party. Coun Holland has represented the Droylsden West ward as a red for 36 years, after being first elected as a in 1989.

Disrupting the council meeting on October 7, the now independent councillor said: “I am making it known that I am no longer a member of the Labour group. I am upset about this.

“I am a socialist and I am sick and tired of seeing what is going on.”

Her announcement was met with cheers and claps by the independents and Conservatives on the other side of the chamber, which was shouted down by Coun Holland herself. 

Coun Joe Kitchen, chair of council business, said there is a process to follow for council members to leave a political group, so the announcement wasn’t relevant at the meeting.

Following her shocking outburst, Coun Holland walked out of the meeting, but returned later on.

It was revealed back in July that Labour chose not to reselect Coun Holland as their candidate for the Droylsden West ward at next year’s Local Elections.

The former Labour stalwart did not reveal whether this was the reason behind her decision to quit the red rosettes at the meeting.

The Local Elections are due to be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Labour have not officially announced their candidate vying for the Droylsden West ward so far.

Coun Holland’s resignation from the Labour party brings the number of independent councillors in Tameside to nine.