A COUNCILLOR has rejoined the Conservatives just months after quitting the party claiming at that time she was ‘not allowed her own opinion’ and that she was ‘constrained’ by them.

Cllr Diane Parkinson, who represents Hulton ward on Bolton Council, sensationally quit the Conservatives along with another Tory member, Beverley Fletcher, in January this year.

At that time they said they ‘didn’t feel the council had stood up to the government enough to support and protect Bolton’.

Cllr Fletcher remains an independent member of the council.

The two councillors released an explosive statement, giving their reasons for quitting the group, blaming the Tories for not fighting for more government support.

Bolton’s ruling Tory group confirmed she had returned to the fold.

But the reasons for her sudden change of mind last week remain a mystery, with Cllr Parkinson staying tight-lipped on the issue.

Cllr Stuart Haslam, secretary of the Conservative group, said: “Cllr Parkinson expressed an interest in rejoining the group.

“She had continued to vote with the Conservative group and we are very pleased to welcome her back,” he added.

The statement detailing her departure in January stated: “We don’t feel Bolton Council has stood up to the government enough to support and protect Bolton, in particular small businesses and the hospitality sector which, as a result, many are now closed having a detrimental effect on the owners, workers, their families and a rise in mental health issues.

“By us leaving the Tories we agree this wouldn’t automatically change this, however, we are no longer a part of it,” the statement said.

“We no longer have to sit in a meeting and listen to them discussing campaign matters when we have more important issues like saving our businesses and saving our town.

“If anybody comes to us as councillors we can voice an opinion without fear of getting a phone call the day after and telling us we shouldn’t have had our own opinion.

“As independents we will be in a better position to fight for and represent our residents and the people of Bolton without the constraints of the Conservatives,” the statement said.

At the annual general meeting of Bolton Council last week, Cllr Parkinson rejoined the Conservative fold and sat with her former group.

Cllr Parkinson did not respond to a request for comment by The Bolton News.