Councillor elected when she was 18 resigns

A councillor who was elected two years ago while preparing to sit her A-levels has resigned from a council, claiming she "witnessed a culture where power can too easily go unchecked".

Daisy Blakemore-Creedon joined Labour aged 14 and was 18 when she was elected to Peterborough City Council in the May 2024 elections.

Last year she quit the local Labour party, and said she had now resigned from the authority "because this is the best thing I could do for residents".

Peterborough City Council's leader Shabina Qayyum said she "cannot say that I recognise the image of the council that [Blakemore-Creedon] has painted". It is anticipated a by-election in the Fletton and Woodston ward will follow.

Blakemore-Creedon said: "As much as I have enjoyed supporting residents and trying to help people get the support they need, I have not always been able to do this effectively because I have never truly felt comfortable within the council or within a system that I do not believe always acts with the best intentions."

She added that the decision had "not been easy because I care deeply about residents and about public service".

"However, I believe stepping away is the most honest and responsible thing I can do."

Peterborough City Council remained under no overall control following May's local elections but is Labour-led, working alongside the Liberal Democrats and Peterborough First.

Qayyum said: "It's always sad to see any councillor resign, especially only two weeks after local elections where she was not up for election but could have given residents a choice then.

"I cannot say that I recognise the image of the council that she has painted. Our administration has worked tirelessly to be as transparent as possible since it has been in power - something my administration will remain committed to over the year ahead."

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