A LABOUR councillor on Dudley Council has announced he has quit the party – saying the hope and optimism of this summer’s general election victory has become a “bleak vision of austerity”.

Councillor Andrew Tromans, who represents Wollaston and Stourbridge Town, was elected as a Labour councillor in 2023 and worked closely with fellow ward councillor colleague Cat Eccles who has since become Stourbridge’s MP.

Cllr Tromans has campaigned on a raft of local issues since taking office including efforts to improve pedestrian crossing facilities in Oldswinford and to see off plans for a HMO on a former care home site in Wollaston.

Last night, however, he announced he was quitting the Labour Party – citing a mix of “personal and political reasons” and said he plans to carry on representing residents as an independent councillor.

He said in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “It is with sadness that I announce I will now be sitting as an independent councillor on Dudley Council.

“This decision has been a long time coming and has been made for a mixture of personal and political reasons.

“Over the course of almost a decade of Labour Party membership, I have met some truly wonderful people and I'm grateful for the support they have shown me. I am sorry to say that I have also experienced bullying and conduct that would not be tolerated in any professional workplace.

“I have watched, with increasing alarm, as the hope and optimism of this year's General Election result has turned to a bleak vision of continuity austerity with pensioners and the most vulnerable families thrown into the firing line.

“I will continue to serve the people of Wollaston and Stourbridge Town to the best of my ability for as long as it is my honour to represent my hometown.”

His resignation post came after a reportedly heated meeting of Labour's local executive group at Dudley Council House.

The Labour Party has been contacted for further comment.