The leader of the Labour opposition group on Lichfield District Council has said it is time for “a new start” following the re-election of Jeremy Corbyn.
He saw off the challenge of Owen Smith after winning more than 61% of the vote.
Mr Corbyn has since vowed to wipe the slate clean in a bid to unite the party after a number of members of the Shadow Cabinet resign, while a letter signed by 500 Labour councillors had also called on him to resign.
Among the signatories was Cllr Sue Woodward, leader of the Labour group at Lichfield District Council, who says the views of the members must now be respected.
“I didn’t support Jeremy Corbyn in this leadership election but I respect the decision of fellow members and supporters and shall continue to do all I can to promote Labour candidates and Labour policies at every level of local and national government,” she said.
“It’s time now for a new start, a clean slate as Jeremy said, and for members and supporters to join together in opposing the Tories locally and nationally.
“I truly hope lessons have been learnt on all sides. We’re the sixth richest nation in the world yet are seeing unprecedented cuts in public services which don’t just hurt the most vulnerable but all of us who want to live in a decent and tolerant society. What a disgrace that so many people have to rely on foodbanks on this day and age.
“Specifically, I will be supporting the call by the Party Leader to oppose selection in education next week and hope our new members, supporters and Labour voters will join us.”
Cllr Woodward said that she had witnessed first hand the conflict within the party during the leadership campaign.
“I’ve been a Labour member for over 40 years now and have campaigned for Labour since I was in my teens,” she said. “I can honestly say that I’ve had more antagonism and even downright abuse in this past two months than in all of my years of membership put together.
“This has now got to stop and I was encouraged by Jeremy’s commitment to tackling all forms of abuse in the party.”
