A North Hertfordshire councillor has defected from Labour to the Liberal Democrats on both the district and county councils.

Cllr Tina Bhartwas, who represents Letchworth Norton on North Herts Council and Letchworth North on Hertfordshire County Council, confirmed her move yesterday (Tuesday, 20 May).

It comes shortly after Cllr Emma Rowe, who represents Baldock West on North Herts Council, stepped down from the Labour group there to become an independent.

This week, a Labour source also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that three North Herts district councillors have lodged complaints with the Labour party about Cllr Daniel Allen (Lab), the leader of North Herts Council.

It is understood that one councillor has also complained about Cllr Allen to the district council.

In the recent internal elections for the district council Labour group, Cllr Allen saw off a leadership challenge from Cllr Alistair Willoughby.

Cllr Bhartwas was elected as deputy leader of the county council's Labour group after retaining her seat in the county council elections on 1 May.

After those council elections, she unsuccessfully challenged Cllr Nigel Bell for leadership of the Labour group at County Hall.

Explaining her decision to defect before the first county council meeting since her re-election, Cllr Bhartwas told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it was something she had been considering "for some time".

She continued: "I believe government policy is harming vulnerable people and scapegoating communities.

"I'd hoped that local elections would be a chance to reject division, build something better – that's not happened.

"I've lost complete faith in the party.

"I don't see it reflecting my values and the values that people voted for Labour for in the first place.

"Those values of equality and social justice that I hold dear are really foundation stones of why I am really proud to be joining the Liberal Democrats."

Cllr Bhartwas is now facing calls to resign her county council seat from Cllr Val Bryant (Lab), the deputy leader of North Herts Council.

Cllr Bryant said it was "disappointing" that Cllr Bhartwas had defected "when she campaigned on Labour values and was re-elected as a Labour county councillor this month".

"Tina should now resign her Hertfordshire County Council seat to give her constituents the opportunity to elect a new councillor given they chose to elect a Labour councillor three weeks ago," she said.

Cllr Bryant added that the Labour minority administration at North Herts Council "remains focused on delivering a fairer, greener North Herts".

Cllr Bell, the Labour group leader at the county council, has said residents may feel "let down" by Cllr Bhartwas's decision.

"It's barely three weeks since she stood as a candidate for the Labour party – and she gave a pledge to local residents", he said.

In response, Cllr Bhartwas said her "commitment" to Letchworth is "unwavering".

She said: "I have the same priorities and will continue to stand up to defend public services and to support the diverse communities I represent.

"I will be continuing to focus on issues I was elected on and which matter most to local people, including tackling the cost-of-living crisis, improving support for children with special needs and fixing roads."

Cllr Allen declined to comment on any complaints lodged against him. A Labour party spokesperson said: "Any complaint received is assessed thoroughly in line with the Labour party's rules and procedures."

The Labour minority administration at North Herts Council has now been reduced to 23 councillors, against 20 for the Liberal Democrats and seven for the Conservatives. Cllr Rowe sits as an independent.

Hertfordshire County Council is now run by a minority Liberal Democrat administration. The Liberal Democrats have 32 seats against 22 for the Conservatives, 14 for Reform UK, five for the Greens and four for Labour. There is also one independent.

In Cllr Bhartwas's county council division at the recent elections, the Liberal Democrats came fourth with 457 votes against 1,141 for Cllr Bhartwas. Reform UK and the Conservatives came second and third with, respectively, 984 and 856 votes.