A WINCHESTER city councillor will remain an independent after resigning from the Conservative party.

Cllr Victoria Weston, of the Central Meon Valley ward, is a former deputy leader of the council, which said she resigned in October. However, Cllr Weston said she resigned in July.

She said: "I made my decision to stand down as a Conservative councillor in July. This was not taken lightly but with the inconsistencies of party policy now emerging across the nation and lack of support when needed, I decided that after 13 years of being a district councillor under the Conservative banner I could represent the interests of my constituents more fairly as an independent.

"The knowledge I gained over this time including six years in Cabinet and three terms as deputy leader of the council allows me to deliver the same level of support to residents irrespective of any party allegiance. Each party of whatever flavour needs to have the right infrastructure in place to support committed councillors who work hard for their communities.

"Good politics starts at home so if parties cannot get it right then how can councillors support the residents that they represent. I have always made a point of giving factual information that can be supported by documentation and I will support anyone in my ward if they are acting within the parameters of legislation that we are beholden to. "I am very grateful for all the messages of support received since my decision to become an independent councillor, and this reminds one that it is people that matter, not parties."