City councillor defects back to the Conservatives
John HowardA Peterborough councillor who quit the Conservative party 18 months ago has re-joined them.
John Howard, who previously served as deputy leader of the council as part of Peterborough First, said the group was no longer "putting Peterborough First".
He said he felt able to re-join his former party, as the "position the city is in now is very different to before".
The council is currently run by a minority Labour administration, with Peterborough First remaining the second largest political group.
Peterborough First took control of the city council in November 2023 after a vote of no confidence in the Conservative group leader.
A number of Conservative party members, including Mr Howard, had joined Peterborough First.
They held control of the council until the local elections last May, when Labour secured additional seats and formed a minority administration.
Fast forward eight months and Mr Howard said the actions of "a very small group of people" had affected the Peterborough First group, and he saw "no future in the group for me".
"My first chapter as a councillor was with the Conservative group and it seems fitting that my next chapter is with the Conservative group," he said.
"Much has been said and done in the last 18 months, but equally I can reflect on the gift of hindsight too. Leaving the group was a very difficult and emotional decision at the time, after many years of service with them."
Leader of Peterborough First, Mohammed Farooq, said he wanted to thank Mr Howard "for all the contribution he has made to our Independent group".
He particularly highlighted his "pivotal role in forming a new administration at Peterborough City Council and ending Conservative reign of over 20 years".
"As a fellow ward councillor, I will continue to work with John in doing best for our residents in Hargate and Hempsted ward. I wish him well in the next part of his political journey," he said.
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