A TORY Ringwood town councillor has abandoned party politics to stand alone as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming elections.

Jacqueline Terry, who has served on the town council for eight years, told the Forest Journal that she has resigned from the Conservative Party “to cast off the burden of conformism.”

She said: “If I am to fully represent the residents who have voted for me I must listen to the growing demand from them to me to be Independent.

“While I hope I have always acted in the best interests of those residents there has always been pressure to follow the party line.

“I feel much happier now that I have cast off the burden of conformism and hope everyone will still give me their votes in May.”

Cllr Terry, who represents the North Ward in Ringwood, sits on the Recreation, Leisure and Open Spaces committee and the full council’s monthly meetings.

And when not attending council matters, Cllr Terry helps run the Ringwood Good Neighbours group that helps older people get to medical and dental appointments, and sits on the Friends of Folly Farm and Ringwood United Charities. During the last eight years Cllr Terry has been instrumental in campaigning for the toilet facilities in the town centre, the replacement bus shelter in Poulner and she has secured an additional bench to be placed at Poulner Lakes.

Cllr Terry added: “I will continue to campaign for older people and for facilities in the town, along with my love of animals, and when a raft of new councillors joins the town council, my experience and knowledge should be invaluable.”

Cllr Terry is married to Ringwood councillor Brian Terry, who has served as Ringwood Mayor three times over his time in office.