AN outgoing councillor has announced he is leaving the Labour Party in a swipe at the leadership of Keir Starmer.

Cllr Iain Mooney said it would be 'morally and ethically wrong' to remain in the party as he reflected on his time on Barrow Council.

The nurse, who has served as the council's health spokesman, chose not to stand for election to the forthcoming Westmorland and Furness Council.

In a statement posted on social media, the councillor thanked residents and said it had been a 'privilege' to perform the role but said his time in politics 'hasn't been enjoyable'.

He also reserved criticism for Labour.

"I feel It would be morally and ethically wrong for me to remain in a party that no longer has the best interests of me, my family and my class at heart," he said.

"The Labour Party I joined was full of hope and progression.

"This has been torn up and thrown away.

"I can't stay and fund a party that doesn't support the workers of this country and that has abandoned our NHS.

"Nationally, the party has become a Tory Party tribute act which offers absolutely no alternative to the anti-working class policies of the Tory party.

"Keir Stamer lied to get elected as leader of the Labour Party and has spent the last few years destroying any positive progression that remained."

Reflecting on his term serving the Parkside ward, he said: "As I enter the final full month of my elected term as a councillor, I want to thank all my residents and community for their support over the past four years.

"When I was elected 4 years ago, we had no idea that this would be the last term for our historic council. We also had no idea that the majority of our term would end up engulfed in a global pandemic.

"Despite this, I have managed to achieve a lot and hope I have been able to help those locally as best as I can."

Cllr Mooney also said he decided against standing for the new authority because he did not believe was good for the area.

And as a 'young working class lad', he said he thought politics was 'designed in this country to keep people like me down, regardless of party or who is "in charge"'.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Cllr Iain Mooney’s statement has been accepted by the Labour Party as a formal resignation, he is no longer a Labour Party member or Councillor.

“The Labour Party will never again be a party captured by narrow interests.

"It will never again lose sight of its purpose or its morals. Keir Starmer has made it clear, If you don’t like that, if you don’t like the changes we have made, the door is open and you can leave.”