A former Labour councillor, who now sits as an Independent, has hit out at the “bullying” and constraints of being part of the ruling Labour party on the county council during the past four years.

Sue Riley sits as ward member of Bulwark and Thornwell and was elected in 2022 as a Labour councillor but now believes she can represent the “interests of the residents” by voting and representing them “properly” as an Independent member of the council.

She left the Labour group only five days after the council’s AGM which saw Mary Ann Brocklesby re-elected as Leader of the council by just one vote.

She told the Beacon:”I believe it is in the interests of the residents of Bulwark and Thornwell for me to vote and represent them properly and not be constrained by the dictates of the Labour whip”.

She went on to say that during the four years she was a councillor, it was only once she recollects voting against the ruling of the whip, Cllr Steven Garrett, ward member for Overmonnow.

She voted with her conscience over domiciliary care arrangements being proposed, “I believed it was not in the interests of residents across Monmouthshire.”

“It did not go down well,” she went on to say.

“I have no recollection of a free vote in the last four years,” she added.

The Labour whip came in for more criticism when she explained she was told to cancel an appointment at Velindre cancer hospital in order to attend a council meeting to vote on the budget meeting in March 2025.

“It is no secret that I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer three years ago. I found it intolerable that I was told to cancel the appointment to attend the meeting.

Cllr Steve Garrett said he wasn’t aware of any formal complaint having been made against him but said Labour’s numbers on the council make it dependent on every vote and said: “That is why I asked Cllr Riley if she could change her appointment.”

Cllr Riley added: “As a firm believer in employment protection, I also will not countenance bullying at any level. This I found totally unacceptable and have been asking for redress, which has not been properly forthcoming,” she said.

“I hope that the people of Bulwark and Thornwell will not judge me too harshly - I put many hours in in support of the vulnerable and answer all requests for support promptly and to the best of my ability.

She hopes that they will continue to ask her to represent them at county level.

Cllr Riley’s defection now leaves the ruling Labour party governing by a thread with 20 Labour, 19 Conservative, six Independents and one Green on the council.

A Labour Group spokesperson said: "Sue Riley was elected as a Labour Councillor and it is very sad that she has a serious illness and also that she no longer feels part of the Labour Group."We hold fast to our values treating people with kindness and respect and do not believe that this is right forum to air any differences."