Prominent Preston City Council Labour councillor David Borrow resigns triggering by-election for Lea and Larches

Cllr David Borrow during his time as Mayor of Preston

A prominent Labour councillor at Preston City Council has resigned in a move that will trigger a by-election for his vacant ward seat.

Cllr David Borrow, who was also the Labour MP for South Ribble between 1997 and 2010, has stepped down from his role at Preston City Council.

Cllr Borrow first joined the Labour Party in 1970. He was also one of few people to serve as Mayor of Preston for over a year.

The move will trigger a by-election for Lea and Larches – which Blog Preston understands will take place on 4 July – the day of the general election.

Leader of Preston City Council and Preston Labour leader councillor Matthew Brown told Blog Preston: “As a Labour Group we would like to thank David for his many years of service to the authority and wider Labour movement in what has been a very long and illustrious career. We send him every best wish for the future.”

Adrian Phillips, chief executive of Preston City Council said: “We thank David for his long-standing contribution and dedicated public service to the people of Preston and the wider Preston city region. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

A by-election in Lea and Larches will be particularly intriguing as in the 2 May local elections in 2024, the Liberal Democrats gained a seat from the Labour Party in a result that was broadly seen as a surprise. Former cabinet member for health and wellbeing Jennifer Mein lost her seat by 13 votes after a recount.

In that vote, more than 300 votes went to an independent candidate standing in opposition to the council’s plans to build football facilities on Ashton Park.

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