A Letchworth councillor has stepped down from her roles at Hertfordshire County Council and North Herts Council.

Tina Bhartwas, who represented the Liberal Democrats after her defection from Labour last year, was county councillor for Letchworth North division and district councillor for Letchworth Norton ward.

In a statement published on Monday (October 12), Ms Bhartwas said she had made the "difficult decision" to resign as a councillor "to pursue a new opportunity outside of politics" on "a unique postgraduate programme in Glasgow".

She continued: "Moving hundreds of miles away means I can no longer be present locally in the way you deserve and have been accustomed to.

"Stepping down is the right decision, but leaving my hometown and the community I have known all my life feels incredibly bittersweet.

"I have loved representing you and getting things done in the town where I grew up.

"Working to end violence against women and girls, championing the arts and local businesses, and strengthening community cohesion have been particularly important to me."

Ms Bhartwas was first elected as a county councillor in 2021, and served as the district council's vice chair during 2024-25.

Shortly after her re-election to her county council seat last year, she unsuccessfully stood for leadership of the Labour group and then defected to the Lib Dems, citing concerns about the national Labour government.

Ms Bhartwas said on Monday that she has been "proud to be part of the Liberal Democrat team running Hertfordshire County Council" and added: "I remain a proud Liberal Democrat and am grateful to have worked alongside such committed and passionate colleagues to deliver change for our communities."

She said: "I got into politics because of my personal experience of poverty, domestic abuse and homelessness. Those experiences made me determined to stand up against injustice and make a positive difference.

"Public service has given me so many ways to turn that determination into action.

"Being a councillor has also meant many sacrifices. I have spent most of my adult life in this role and have essentially grown up in the public eye, balancing public service with work, study and everything else life has brought, often at the expense of my privacy, relationships and health.

"As a young woman of colour in politics I have also experienced horrendous abuse.

"Nobody should have to accept that as the price of caring about their community. If we want younger people and people from different backgrounds in politics we must create a healthier, more supportive environment in which they can thrive."

Ms Bhartwas' resignation means the 78-seat county council is now made up of 31 Lib Dems, 21 Conservatives, 13 Reform UK members, five Greens and four Labour representatives, with one independent, one unaligned Conservative and one Restore Britain member. There is now one vacancy.

North Herts Council, meanwhile, now consists of 23 Labour representatives, 19 Lib Dems, seven Conservatives and one independent, with one vacancy.