Portsmouth councillor John Ferrett will stand down from role after eight years

Councillor John Ferrett, who was first voted to represent Paulsgrove in 2012, said he could no longer 'fully commit' to the role due to work.

Fiery Cllr Ferrett joined Portsmouth City Council as a Labour member alongside his brother Ken who served Nelson ward for four years. However, John left the party when Jeremy Corbyn was elected as leader in 2016.

The 54-year-old Milton resident said: 'It's been an interesting political journey over the last eight years having started as a Labour councillor, becoming Labour group leader, standing as a parliamentary candidate and finishing as an independent councillor.

'I was concerned when I first stood that I wasn't from Paulsgrove but it's been really rewarding from a personal point of view. Paulsgrove has its own subculture and its own identity. Coming in as an outsider was difficult but I was accepted.

'I've always worked hard, attending residents' meetings and holding surgeries as councillors should.

'I am proud of the work the Labour group did to put Sure Start as its priority when a lot of them were at risk of closure.

'On a more personal level I am proud of the work I did to prevent Paulsgrove Library from closing.'

Cllr Ferrett is currently the only independent politician at the council, after Cllr Claire Udy and Cllr Jeanette Smith formed the Progressive Portsmouth People group last year.

He believed more independent voices were needed to represent the city.

'The last few years have been more rewarding than any others on the council,' he said.

'I've been able to speak independently and am not beholden to a party line.

'I think there's a demand for more independent councillors.

'I think politics has become more tribal. I just don't think that's compatible with local politics, we should be working together co-operatively in the interest of our local residents.'

Cllr Ferrett will serve on the council until the local elections in May this year.