A LABOUR councillor on St Austell Town Council has quit her party over national policy.

Cllr Tina Taylor, who represents the Poltair and Mount Charles ward, said she will now sit as an Independent councillor.

In a statement, Cllr Taylor said: “I strongly oppose the cuts to disability benefits, therefore, I have made the difficult decision to resign from the Labour Party and will now continue to serve our community as an Independent town councillor.

“This has not been an easy choice, but it is one I feel compelled to make. My core values have always centred around fairness, compassion and standing up for those who need support the most.

“Unfortunately, I cannot align myself with Labour's stance on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cuts. I believe these cuts are deeply harmful to some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and I cannot in good conscience support a party that does not oppose them outright.

“My commitment to our town and the people who live here has not changed. I will continue to work hard, speak up and stand by the principles that led me into public service in the first place. Thank you for your continued support.”

Earlier in the year, Cllr Taylor had stood as the Labour candidate in the St Blazey division for the Cornwall Council elections, finishing fourth out of four candidates. Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay, Noah Law, promoted her campaign saying she would be a “real asset” for the town.

After the elections, Cllr Taylor said in a social media post: “Well done to our Labour councillors that got in. Although I did not win the Cornwall councillor seat in St Blazey, I shall look forward to being a town councillor and working with Cllr Andrea Lanxon in the Poltair and Mount Charles ward.”