A REDCAR and Cleveland councillor has left the Conservative party and will now represent his ward as an independent, The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has learnt. It is understood Cllr Graham Jeffery, who represents the Hutton ward in Guisborough, decided not to renew his membership. The move leaves seven sitting Conservative members on the council, including fellow ward councillors Caroline Jackson and Malcolm Griffiths. Cllr Jeffery did not respond when contacted by the LDRS to comment. Councillor Philip Thomson, leader of the Conservative group, said: “Councillor Jeffery has decided not to renew his Conservative party membership and as a result he is ineligible to be a member of the Conservative councillor group on the council.
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