Councillors quit Lib Dems to become Independents

TWO Hull City councillors have explained their decision to quit the Liberal Democrats and defect to become Independents.

- By ANDREW SPENCE

In February, councillors Sherilee Jepmond and Julia Conner, both of the Longhill and Bilton Grange ward, left the Liberal Democrats and, in doing so, formed a new Independent group with the lone pre-existing Independent councillor, Gary Douglas Wareing, who has become the leader of the group.

The move had a notable impact on the political weighting in the council chamber as it meant the ruling Liberal Democrats have had their majority slashed to just one as there are now 29 Lib Dem councillors and 28 non-Lib Dem councillors (25 Labour and 3 Independents).