Two Sefton councillors leave Conservative group

Two Sefton councillors have left the Conservative Group this morning.

Ainsdale’s Terry Jones and Cambridge’s Sinclair D’Albuquerque will form what they are calling “The Southport Councillor Group”.

OTS News contacted both Cllr Jones and Cllr D’Albuquerque for comment, who replied that a full statement will be issued on Monday.

The full reasons behind the group’s departure are as yet unclear.

Following Cllr Dutton’s defeat last week at the local elections, the Conservatives have moved from 8 seats on the council to 5 in the space of a week.

Cllr Jones, who has been a councillor since 2007, was formerly head of the Sefton Conservative group before stepping down for health reasons in 2016. Cllr D’Albuquerque has served for one year on Sefton Council, defeating Pat Keith of the Liberal Democrats in 2021.

Cllr Mike Prendergast of the Conservatives said: “I am obviously very disappointed that Councillors Jones and D’Albuquerque have decided to not remain part of the Conservative Group on Sefton Council.

“I would like to thank them for their service and contribution and wish them both well for the future.

“The Conservative Group on Sefton Council will continue to stand up for our town and we have a lot of serious issues to address that impact the lives of those living in Sefton. We will continue with this work, working hard for our communities, and continue to hold Labour to account.”