Two Bolton councillors have quit their party to sit as independents. Councillors Samantha Williamson and Charlotte Moncado-Sears have left the Horwich and Blackrod First Independents (HBFI) party, but will remain as councillors.
Both politicians won seats for the party in the May 2024 local elections.
The resignations come less than five months after Coun Ryan Bamforth, who represented Horwich North on Bolton Council since May 2023, also quit the party. It is understood both Coun Williamson, who represents Horwich South and Blackrod, and Coun Moncado-Sears, who is a member for Horwich North, resigned over the weekend after a town council meeting on Friday.
Coun Williamson said: "I have made the decision to leave the party, should any members of the public want to discuss this with me I am happy to do so in private not in a public forum. I wish HBFI success." Coun Moncado-Sears said she would be issuing a statement on the matter at a later date.
A Horwich and Blackrod First Independents statement read: "Following a party meeting on Friday we have accepted the resignations of Coun Williamson and Coun Moncado-Sears. While this is regrettable we feel this is the best outcome for all involved.
"They have made it their intention to serve out their terms as independent councillors at Bolton and we hope for them the very best in their choices."
After the local elections in May, HBFI held a 'clean sweep' of the six Horwich and Blackrod council seats at the town hall. After the weekend resignations the party currently has three council members, leader David Grant, Peter Wright and Victoria Rigby.
