Robert Goodwill MP warns Scarborough Council independents about working with Labour

Mr Goodwill used his acceptance speech to warn the independents on Scarborough Council who are supporting the Labour administration that they could face a similar fate as Jeremy Corbyn’s party in the future.

He said: “In this election, the Labour Party came second, in the borough election they came third.

“My message to the independent councillors who came second is seriously consider who you are working with because if you do not represent the views of the people as expressed in this election you may well find you pay the price at the next local election.”

In May, the Labour Party took control of the council despite getting just 13 of the 46 seats with the backing of two Green councillors and 10 of the 14 independents elected.

Last week, one Independent Group councillor, Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff, quit over concerns about how the powersharing with Labour would work going forward.

The Independent Group had picked up an extra member in November when Conservative Andrew Backhouse defected.