Cllr Ulrich Savary has resigned from the Labour Party, just over a year since he helped Labour win the Broadheath ward at the local elections by just six votes.
In a Facebook post announcing his decision, Cllr Savary cited fundamental disagreements with the party's direction under Keir Starmer's leadership, claiming the party had "changed beyond recognition" since he joined in 2008, moving away from the social democratic values of "fairness, compassion, and standing up for the vulnerable."
He will continue to serve as an Independent Councillor for Broadheath ward.
Cllr Savary highlighted several policy decisions that prompted his departure, including cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance and attempts to reduce disability benefits.
He was particularly critical of the 40% cut to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, saying as an adoptive parent he knew "how vital that support is for children who've experienced trauma".
Cllr Savary also took aim at local issues, arguing that "council tax in Trafford has gone up by 7.5% this year - well above the legal threshold - while services are worse than ever." He criticised the council's handling of basic services, saying roads were crumbling, gullies remained blocked for months, and residents were forced to chase the council for basic service delivery.
"Labour has lost its way," he wrote. "It is no longer a party grounded in values - it has become a brand, driven by electoral strategy over principle."
He insisted his "commitment to Broadheath hasn’t changed" and that he would "continue to serve with honesty and fairness".
Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, responded by revealing that Cllr Savary had been suspended from the Trafford Labour Group on 16th July following "a series of internal party disciplinary issues."
In response, Cllr Savary claimed he had been suspended last night for voting against the Whip.
"Cllr Savary is fully aware of the financial challenges facing Trafford Council after 14 years of budget cuts," Cllr Ross said.
"Running a council is a huge responsibility that comes with difficult decisions. It's clear that Cllr Savary has stepped away from that responsibility."
He added that Broadheath would continue to be served by two Labour councillors.
Connor Rand, Labour MP for Altrincham and Sale West, said he was "deeply disappointed" by Cllr Savary's decision to leave the group.
"This Government is putting Labour values into action by delivering record funding for the NHS, the largest ever increase to the minimum wage and a massive uplift in school budgets," Rand said, highlighting local investments including funding for a new nursery at Altrincham C of E Primary School and a £2 million package for Trafford College.
"I'm sorry that Councillor Savary no longer wants to be part of delivering this change," he added, though he pledged to continue working with him "in the best interests of residents in Broadheath".
Cllr Savary, 42, originally from France, won the Broadheath ward by just six votes in the 2024 local elections, defeating incumbent Conservative councillor Kaushik Chakroborty with 1,716 votes to 1,710.
His victory helped Labour achieve 43 seats on the 63-strong council, the most the party has ever held.
A mortgage broker who has lived in Broadheath for over a decade, Cllr Savary had been secretary for the Altrincham and Broadheath branch of the Jewish Labour Movement.
