Peterborough councillor defects from Labour to Conservative
A Peterborough city councillor has defected from the Labour Party to the Conservative Party.
Cllr Asim Mahmood, who represents the North Ward, made the announcement on Facebook on Friday (July 24).
In a statement he said: “This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life, and not one I have arrived at quickly or easily. After careful and prolonged reflection, I am today announcing that I am resigning from the Labour Party.
“I joined the Labour Party ten years ago because I believed, and continue to believe in public service, in community, and in fighting for people who need a voice. These are values I still hold deeply, and they continue to shape everything I do as a public servant. This decision is not a rejection of those values, it is a reaffirmation of them. My decision is about how I believe I can best continue serving the people who elected me.
“However, I have reached a point where I no longer believe those values, merit, transparency, integrity and putting residents first, are consistently reflected within the local Labour Group.
“I have long believed that public office should be earned through hard work, experience and a genuine commitment to the community. When nepotism is allowed to replace merit as the basis on which positions and responsibilities are allocated, it is ultimately the residents who lose out. That is something I cannot, in good conscience, be part of.
“In recent months, I have come to feel that the local Labour Group has created an environment in which colleagues cannot openly express their views or challenge decisions without fearing that doing so will be held against them. Open discussion, constructive challenge and accountability are essential to good governance. Regrettably, I no longer believe that culture exists within the local Labour Group. Despite the experience and time I have given to this party, and three years of service as a councillor within the local Labour Group, I no longer feel welcome. I have reached a point where I can no longer effectively represent my residents from within that environment and, above all else, that is what has made my position untenable. It is not an environment that I can, in good conscience, continue to be part of.
“For those reasons, I have concluded that I can no longer remain within the Labour Party. I have therefore taken the decision to join the Conservative Party alongside my fellow North Ward Councillor, Javed Akhtar, having received the support of Mayor Paul Bristow of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
“I believe this move will allow me to continue serving the people of North Ward in an environment where merit, transparency, accountability and putting residents first are valued.
“From this position, I intend to effectively scrutinise the administration’s regeneration agenda and ensure that North Ward’s priorities are properly addressed, including the ongoing issue of commercial vehicles parking in residential areas, which prevents residents from parking outside their own homes. These are the everyday issues that matter deeply to the people of North Ward, and I am determined to help resolve them.
“To the residents of North Ward, I want to speak to you directly. I know that some of you may be surprised by this decision, and I understand that. You elected me as a Labour councillor, and I respect that deeply. However, my commitment to you has never been about a party label, it has always been about you, your families and our community. My door remains open to every resident of North Ward, regardless of how you voted or how you feel about this decision.
“I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the Conservative Group and to Mayor Paul Bristow for their support over the last few months. The last few months have been a period of significant personal difficulty for me, including challenges with my mental health, and their kindness and understanding have meant more than I can express.
“I can today confirm that I will be seeking re-election in 2027 as a Conservative candidate, and I look forward to continuing to serve this wonderful community alongside Councillor Javed Akhtar.
“The people of North Ward have always come first for me, and they always will. Whatever your view of today’s decision, I hope I will continue to earn your trust through my actions and my service to our community.”
Cllr Mahmood was first elected to the council in 2023.
The make up of Peterborough City Council:
The political make up of the council now stands as follows:
Conservative: 14 councillors
Labour (and Co-operative): 10 councillors
Liberal Democrat: 8 councillors
Peterborough First: 8 councillors
Independent: 8 councillors
Green Party: 7 councillors
Reform UK: 5 councillors