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Former Bury St Edmunds mayor Peter Thompson quits Conservative Party but will carry on as Independent as ‘there’s still work that needs to be done’




A Bury St Edmunds councillor who was suspended from his Conservative groups for an alleged breach of party rules last month has quit the Tory Party and will continue as an Independent.

Peter Thompson was suspended in April from the Bury St Edmunds Conservative Association, the Conservative Group on Suffolk County Council and the Conservative Group of West Suffolk Council.

The former mayor of Bury St Edmunds lost his seats on West Suffolk Council and Bury St Edmunds Town Council in this month’s elections.

Peter Thompson, former mayor of Bury St Edmunds. Picture: Mecha Morton
Peter Thompson, former mayor of Bury St Edmunds. Picture: Mecha Morton

However, he remains a Suffolk County Council councillor representing Eastgate and Moreton Hall as an Independent.

Cllr Thompson said: “It’s become clear that the values of the party and my values are not aligned anymore.”

He said that he did not intend to stand at the next election and wanted to continue in the role until he had completed a number of projects including stopping heavy goods vehicles in Orttewell Road.

“There’s still work that needs to be done,” said Cllr Thompson.

“People have asked me to do things I was elected to do. I’m going to do them and see it out.”

Asked whether he will complete his term until the next election in 2025, Cllr Thompson said: “I don’t know.

“There are other people who can have a chance and make a good fist of it.

“I think I’ve done a lot of good.”