THE founder and leader of a hyper-local political party has quit to join Bolton's Conservative Group.

Cllr Marie Brady, who leads Horwich and Blackrod First Independents announced her decision late yesterday.

She said :"As a founder member and leader of Horwich and Blackrod First Independents, I am sad to say that I have taken the difficult decision to leave the party.

"With a party of Independents, each wanting to do their the best for Horwich and Blackrod, how we achieved that, inevitably led to a difference of opinions.

"For Independents and minor groups, working alongside and with other political groups, to create mutually beneficial relationships and positive outcomes, is the only means of achieving those.

"Those relationships were torn apart by the decision to vilify the submission of an Expression of Interest that met the criteria, in favour of one that did not, and to discredit and scorn the officers who wrote the bid. I could not support those actions.

"Joining the Conservative group, I will continue to represent my ward, Horwich North East, to the best of my ability. I also look forward to working with the Conservative group to bring much needed and long overdue improvements to Horwich North East and Bolton."

Her decision to defect came a day after Cllr David Grant of the Horwich and Blackrod Independents ripped up a copy of the council’s bid to bring Great British Railways HQ to Bolton in the council chamber in anger that Horwich had been overlooked.

And her decision to leave the party comes just weeks before the local elections are to take place.

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Bolton Conservative Council Leader, Cllr Martyn Cox, welcomed former leader of Horwich and Blackrod First, Cllr Brady, into the Conservative Group.

Cllr Cox said “Cllr Brady has been a constructive and strong advocate for Horwich and will be a huge asset to the Bolton Conservative Group. I’ve always enjoyed a very good relationship with Cllr Brady. She is an enthusiastic and passionate champion for Horwich and shown a willingness to act in the greater good of the whole borough. I’m delighted to have her as part of our Conservative team.”

Horwich and Blackrod First Independent Party, which formed from two local community groups was formed in 2019.

The group followed in the footsteps of Farnworth and Kearsley First which formed at the end of 2017.

A statement from Horwich and Blackrod First Independents, said: “We have received the resignation of our party leader Marie Brady who has taken the decision to join the Conservative Party.
“Over recent weeks it has become clear that her political position was for more in line with the Conservative group.
“This is a conflict with our independence that we assured the people of Horwich and Blackrod when we formed.
“Cllr Brady is a founding member of our group and we will be eternally grateful for her hard work and commitment over the years.”