Labour expels South Gloucestershire councillor for announcing bid to stand as independent WECA mayor

A South Gloucestershire councillor has been expelled from Labour after 40 years for announcing he will stand as an independent in May’s West of England metro mayor election. As previously reported, Cllr Ian Scott accused the party of age and sex discrimination in November after a panel culled him from the shortlist of nominees for its candidacy.

Now, after announcing his intention to run for office under his own steam, including against Labour’s official nominee Helen Godwin, the party has terminated his membership for breaching its rules. The 61-year-old trade unionist and activist was among an original longlist of six who threw their hat into the ring to be the candidate to succeed fellow Labour politician Dan Norris, now an MP.

Cllr Scott (Independent, Woodstock) said: “Being old is not a crime. My most practical option to challenge this is to put my case to the court of public opinion at the next metro mayor election.

“Labour has refused to investigate my age/sex discrimination case. I don’t mind being rejected by voters – that is democracy – but being blocked by a Labour panel is not democracy.

“I have been a Labour member for over 40 years since joining Bristol East, Brislington East, Labour branch in 1983, having been inspired at a public meeting by my local MP Tony Benn. But I have now lost trust and confidence in the Labour Party and I will leave the Labour Party January 31.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “I can confirm that Ian Scott’s membership of the Labour Party was terminated.” The metro mayor leads the West of England Combined Authority, comprising Bristol city, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils, with North Somerset Council expected to join soon.