AN independent councillor who left the Labour party after he was deselected for his own seat is to fight the ward again in May.

Former Labour councillor Brian Watson has announced he is to contest his Guildhall seat as an independent candidate in the elections in May.

Cllr Watson has served as an independent councillor since May when he was dramatically axed by his party, despite 35 years on the council making him the city's longest serving councillor.

Now Cllr Watson, who has served as both Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York, has confirmed he will fight to keep the seat himself when the city goes to the polls on May 7.

He said: "I have been asked by many of my constituents if I would stand again and I feel I would be doing an injustice, both to them and myself if I did not. I thank them for their support and encouragement; Guildhall is my political home and many of its residents my friends." 

After successful treatment for prostate cancer, Cllr Watson said he was now sure standing again was the right decision.

"After giving this due thought during weeks of treatment, and now being given the all clear, I have decided to carry on supporting the residents in Guildhall ward as I have done for the last 26 years. Although this will be a tough ask this year with it being General Election day, I am confident the electorate can separate the two."

He said the experiences of the last years - which saw three more councillors follow his example and leave the Labour group, plunging the party into minority control, showed the important part independent non-partisan councillors could play.

"As an independent councillor my views can now be aired publicly and others can decide if they are worth taking on board - not an internal group of people with a predetermined mindset or a “whipped” decision. The position of a hung council in the past few weeks has shown what a benefit that has been and I would hope this can continue in the future."