Former-MP Cllr David Drew resigns amid ‘devolution frustration’
The veteran Labour stalwart says his relationship with the South West regional office is “completely fractured”.
Former Stroud MP David Drew is resigning as a county, district and town councillor with immediate effect taking aim at Labour’s regional office amid “deep disappointment and frustration” with Gloucestershire “being in the slow lane of devolution”.
The veteran Labour stalwart says his relationship with the South West regional office is “completely fractured”.
And it is understood he faced an “unnecessarily unpleasant” selection process to stand again in Gloucestershire County Council’s May elections.
But despite his disagreement with the regional office he remains steadfast in his support for local Labour representatives such as MP Simon Opher and Gloucestershire’s councillors and those seeking election in May.
He is also “not prepared to watch and waste two further years” before local government is reorganised in the county – Gloucestershire is not among the first tranche of areas to be considered by the Government.
The former Labour and Co-operative MP, who represented Stroud in Parliament from 1997 to 2010 and again from 2017 to 2019, most recently represented Stroud Central at Shire Hall, Ebley Mill and the town council.
But he now says he has decided to make a “clean break after 40 years of representation”.
“It is with regret that I announce my immediate resignation as Councillor for the Town and District Ward of Stroud Central and the Gloucestershire County Division of Stroud Central,” he said in his resignation letter.
“This is as a result of my deep disappointment and frustration that Gloucestershire will be again in the slow lane when it comes to Local Government Reorganisation.
“As someone who has long supported the idea that unitary authorities with strong parish and town councils must be the way forward, I am not prepared to watch as we waste two further years before the inevitable is put in place.
“I therefore am not prepared to be part of this dilatory process. There is a second reason for my resignation at this point.
“Unfortunately my relationship with the regional office of the Labour Party is completely fractured.
“Whilst I retain the support, trust and loyalty of local members, and especially our MP Dr Simon Opher and I wish Labour candidates every success in the forthcoming elections I cannot pretend that at regional level is anything other than broken.
“I have therefore decided to make a clean break after 40 years of representation.
“I will maintain my involvement with many of the voluntary organisations I have been committed to for a long time but sadly that will not include local government.
“I simply would not want to hobble on for a few more years when my heart isn’t in it.”
Cinderford County Councillor Graham Morgan (L) said David Drew’s resignation would be a huge blow to Labour. He was shocked by the news of his resignation.
“If they are going to lose David for whatever reason, they will be losing a bloody good bloke, without a shadow of a doubt. He’s an excellent chap, to be honest with you.”
Councillor John Bloxsom (Rodborough), the Labour group’s leader at Shire Hall, said they are immensely grateful to David Drew for his dedication to the community.
They have thanked him for his service on the County, District and Town councils.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “On behalf of Stroud Labour we would like to thank David Drew for his service to the local area and wish him well on his next endeavours.
“At the general election Stroud voted for change and elected Simon Opher as their MP.
“On May 1 they’ll have the opportunity to choose change on Gloucestershire Council and choose Labour councillors to work with the Labour government to deliver for local people in Stroud and the surrounding areas.”
Labour has announced that Shelley Ryder will be their candidate for the Stroud Central Division in the County Council elections which are scheduled for this May.
They say Ms Ryder works with people in Stroud with complex needs covering benefits, housing, training and education and social inclusion and is well known in the town.
She is a passionate advocate for action on climate change, chairs the environment committee of Nailsworth Town Council and writes a column about green living for local newspapers.
The party says she contributes to local cultural life where she plays the saxophone, performs her poems and recently co-created a 2024 studio album entitled Golden Roots with local musician Pete Ways.
Cllr Bloxsom said: “We are immensely grateful to David Drew for his dedication to the community and thank him for his service on the County, District and Town Councils. Shelley Rider will continue that fight for a fairer society and work alongside Simon Opher MP and local Labour councillors”.