Salford councillor Andrew Walters quits Liberal Democrats weeks before local elections

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A Salford Councillor for Kersal and Broughton Park has defected from the Liberal Democrats and is now independent for the ‘best interests’ of his constituents.

Coun Andrew Walters was elected back in May 2021 for the Liberal Democrats but now says that he must run for re-election as an independent 'in order to better serve his constituents'. "I have always made an effort to ensure my political priorities are in order,” Coun Walters said. “My primary loyalty, therefore, must be to my constituents, both those who voted for me, and those who didn't, followed by an overarching goal of making the City of Salford the best it could possibly be. “Not only do I believe that political loyalty must be subservient to the first two, but political belief must ipso facto be defined by them. Read more: 'Lexit looming': MP James Grundy reveals when proposal for Leigh's exit from Wigan could be on the table "Whilst my political beliefs - based on Social Libertarianism, drug reform and equity - do not line up perfectly with those of the Liberal Democrats, I believed, and to a degree continue to believe, that the Lib Dems are the closest fit in a mainstream party.

Nevertheless, for a variety of reasons, I believe it is now in my constituents' best interests for me to stand for re-election as an independent. “I continue to wish them well and harbour no ill feelings.

The split was amicable.” Coun Walters also addressed the rumour that he was supporting the independent candidate Eli Leech, who is running against the current deputy mayor John Merry. “Regarding Broughton, whilst it was my initial intention to support Eli Leech as an independent standing against the incumbent deputy mayor, John Merry, after extensive consideration, I now