A FORMER city and county councillor has left the Labour party over increasingly differing opinions on policy and will stand as an independent in Worcester at the next general election.

Peter Nielsen, who was chairman of the Worcester Labour party between 1973 and 1976, said he had become disillusioned with New Labour and its direction so he actively cancelled his membership of about 40 years.

He will now pit himself against the city’s current MP Mike Foster, Labour, and prospective parliamentary candidates Robin Walker, Conservative; Louis Stephen, Green Party; and another independent, Andrew Christian-Brookes. No Liberal Democrat candidate has so far announced they will be in the running for the city’s seat at next year’s general election.

Mr Nielsen, aged 68, who lives in Worcester city centre, said: “I have written at length over the years about my opposition to Tony Blair and New Labour, arguing against the Iraq war, top-up fees, trident nuclear defence, lack of house building, the behaviour of MPs and much more.

“Standing for Parliament in opposition to New Labour is therefore the logical thing to do to put my beliefs to the test.”

Mr Nielsen, a former employee of Kay’s, is no stranger to elections – he has stood as a parliamentary candidate on three ocassions over the last four decades, one of which was in south Worcestershire in 1983. He also stood as a European candidate for Hereford and Worcester in 1984.

Mr Nielsen said he broadly supported the proposals that could see about 25,500 more homes built across south Worcestershire and added he thought central Government had “made a mess” of the concessionary bus pass scheme.

He also said he did not agree with the way the economy had been run in recent times. Mr Nielsen said he will operate under the campaign slogan “Worcester First” in the run-up to the general election and added he thought being independent would be of benefit to everyone.

“I can dedicate myself to the city,” he said. “I can bring the experience of a lifetime in politics and family life which I think is something that is really understated these days.

“Sometimes there’s too much emphasis on youth – sometimes you need fresh ideas from old heads.”

For more information about Mr Nielsen and his political views visit peter nielsen.org.uk.