A Conservative councillor will run as an independent in an upcoming local election.

Cllr Gary Silver, who represents Brookmeadow ward in Borehamwood, has quit the Tories and said it has “been coming”.

He received confirmation from Hertsmere Borough Council this morning that he will be allowed to run as an independent in the same ward in May.

Borehamwood Times:

Cllr Gary Silver, Hertsmere Borough Councillor, who has resigned from the Conservative party

Cllr Silver’s father Eric, who sits on the town council has also quit the Tory party, and both will run as independent borough and town councillors in Brookmeadow.

Cllr Silver, who has held his position in Brookmeadow for the last four years, has pointed towards “overdevelopment and the infrastructure of Borehamwood” as a reason to quit.

He said: “There has been a fair lack of consideration for residents. It is time to take stand but this has been coming. It’s the right thing for me to do.

“Borehamwood has had overdevelopment throughout the town. Our roads are gridlocked in certain parts of the day and this is all before the local plan where Borehamwood has been highlighted for possible development in a number of areas.

“I appreciate numbers come from government but I don’t see the council fighting them.”

Borehamwood Times:

Cllr Silver will now sit as an independent and will hope to retain his seat in the borough elections.

Elections in Hertsmere, where every seat is being contested on both Hertsmere Borough Council and Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, as well as numerous parish councils, take place on May 2.

Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Morris Bright, said: "Gary's resignation has come as surprise to me. He had never mentioned these issues before and it is a shame he didn't come to discuss with his group before leaving.

"I thank him for the four years he has given to Hertsmere Borough Council and I wish him well."