Three Rivers councillor resigns from Conservative group

Cllr Rue Grewal, who represents Carpenders Park ward, resigned on Friday (February 14) evening, and will now sit as an independent councillor.

In a statement sent to all councillors, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Grewal said she had “been left with no choice” but to leave the group.

Cllr Grewal. (Image: Three Rivers District Council) She confirmed that she will serve as an independent councillor until her current term ends in 2026, and that she is “fully committed to representing my residents and my community”. Cllr Grewal was contacted for comment but declined to provide a statement at this time. 

One of her fellow Carpenders Park representatives, Cllr Ian Morris, also left the Conservative party last year to sit as an independent. Leader of the Liberal Democrat-run council, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, described Cllr Grewal as “a hard-working ward councillor”. 

He said: “She’s been very supportive of our approach to protecting the green belt, which I know is one of her overriding ambitions in terms of supporting her residents in Carpenders Park.

“I will continue to work with her, as I will with any other councillor, irrespective of party or no party.”

Cllr Steve Cox, leader of the council’s Labour group, said: “I’m sorry that Cllr Grewal felt the need to resign, but I think given the current state of the leadership of the Conservative group, it is very understandable.”

The leader of the Conservative group, Cllr Oliver Cooper, was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication.