A councillor has defected from his authority’s Liberal Democrat group to sit as a non-aligned Independent. 

James Coe was elected in 2023 to the North Road ward of Darlington Borough Council. 

The councillor said he will continue to work with his fellow ward councilllors, who are both Liberal Democrats, despite the decision. 

Cllr Coe said: “I have become an Independent councillor after challenges with the Liberal Democrat Party. 

“I will remain in the leadership partnership of the council and will continue to work with Cllr Hilary Allen and Cllr Anne-Marie Curry to support the North Road ward.”

James Coe was elected in 2023 to the North Road ward of Darlington Borough Council. James Coe was elected in 2023 to the North Road ward of Darlington Borough Council. (Image: Darlington Borough Council)

Cllr Coe is also the council's LGBTQIA+ ambassador and vice-chair of the Communities and Local Services Scrutiny Committee. Changes to the membership of the council’s committee groups are due to be approved next week. 

Earlier this year, Cllr Colin Pease quit the Conservative Party and became an Independent councillor, following in the footsteps of fellow Sadberge and Middleton St George member Yvonne Renton. 

The latest defection means has shifted the political balance of Darlington Borough Council once again. The Liberal Democrats have now become the party with the fewest number of seats on the local authority, with just two councillors. 

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There are currently 24 Labour councillors, 13 Conservative, 17 Green, and four Independents. 

Labour regained control of Darlington Borough Council in May 2023 after agreeing to a coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats.

The Darlington Liberal Democrat party was contacted for comment.