Labour Stalwart's Dramatic Exit After Half a Century
A veteran Labour activist has dramatically ended his nearly 50-year association with the party, delivering scathing criticism of both Sir Keir Starmer and his local MP, Angela Rayner. Barrie Holland, an 82-year-old councillor who has represented Labour on the local council for 34 years, announced he will now sit as an independent member, citing deep disillusionment with the party's direction and his constituency's representation.
'War Zone' Town and an Absent MP
In a powerful indictment of his local MP, Mr Holland claimed he sees more of the famously missing Lord Lucan than he does of Angela Rayner in his hometown of Droylsden. He described the Greater Manchester town, which is part of Ms Rayner's Ashton-under-Lyne constituency, as resembling a 'war zone' that has been utterly neglected. 'She's brought absolutely nothing into the town,' Mr Holland stated bluntly. 'It's like a war zone.'
The long-serving councillor expressed his disappointment that despite Ms Rayner's former position as deputy leader of the Labour Party, she had failed to bring 'one atom' of investment or improvement to Droylsden. He specifically highlighted the town's decline, noting that three-quarters of shop units are now boarded up, transforming the centre into what he has previously called a 'ghost town'. This neglect persists despite what he described as 'first class transport links', including a tram line running directly through the area.
Broader Disillusionment with Labour's Direction
Mr Holland's criticism extended beyond local matters to the very heart of the Labour Party under Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. He voiced concerns that Starmer has 'sanitised the politics out of the Labour Party', creating a stark contrast with the party he joined during the eras of Harold Wilson and Michael Foot. 'I don't know what it is now, honestly,' he confessed, reflecting the depth of his alienation from the modern party.
The councillor also highlighted what he perceives as unfair distribution of resources within the Tameside borough, controlled by a Labour-dominated council. He specifically criticised expenditure in other areas, including approximately £4.5 million being spent on a canopy above Ashton-under-Lyne's market - a structure he dismissively referred to as an 'iron tent'. 'It just doesn't filter down to us,' he lamented, emphasising the feeling of abandonment in Droylsden.
Mr Holland's departure follows a similar move by his wife, Ann, who quit the party last month after failing to be reselected by Labour and will now stand as an independent candidate. He also criticised the party's handling of the 'vile Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group' scandal, noting that while other members involved had been 'welcomed back into the fold', his wife with her '30-odd years membership' was not permitted to stand again.
Local residents in Droylsden, a town of approximately 23,000 people also known as the hometown of Take That star Howard Donald and 10cc founder Eric Stewart, have echoed Mr Holland's concerns. Many describe the shopping centre as 'very run down' and 'forgotten', stating they must travel elsewhere in Greater Manchester to purchase what they need.
This resignation comes at a challenging time for Labour nationally, with recent YouGov surveys indicating declining poll ratings and showing that 23% of respondents believe the party should replace Sir Keir Starmer immediately. The context is further complicated by Ms Rayner's recent resignation from her Cabinet roles in September after an ethics adviser ruled she breached the ministerial code regarding a £40,000 stamp duty payment on a property purchase.
While Tameside council has recently granted permission for the shopping centre's owner to demolish part of the site to make way for new retail units and housing - part of proposals to turn Droylsden into 'a thriving town and a great place to live and work' - for Mr Holland, these plans come too late. After nearly five decades of membership, he simply stated: 'I've had enough of it.'
The Labour Party, Tameside council, and Ms Rayner were all approached for comment regarding Mr Holland's allegations and resignation. It is understood that action was taken by Labour against Mr Holland this week amid allegations he delivered campaign leaflets on behalf of his wife.
