Kingston councillor Sharron Sumner announced on Friday (August 17) she is resigning the Liberal Democrat whip because “of a lack of vision at the top of the administration”.

In a statement put out today, cllr Sumner criticised the Liberal democrat leadership on Kingston council for lacking "creativity" and "vision".

She said: "I was particularly upset at Liz Green and other very senior councillors breaking their promises to the elderly residents of Murray House and on the failure to reimburse the initial fines for drivers on Surbiton Crescent.

"There is huge talent and experience among the 38 strong Lib Dem group, particularly among the 26 councillors elected for the first time in May.

"But the old heads remain in charge and this talent and creativity isn’t being used properly".

Cllr Sumner said she remains a strong supporter of Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, but will be sitting as an independent Liberal Democrat on Kingston council.

She added: “After 100 days, it is clear there is a lack of vision at the top of the administration.

“Manifesto and other commitments have been junked in favour of uninspiring, bureaucratic, more of the same.

“I can’t sit back and see all the goodwill the Lib Dems had from local voters be frittered away without making a stand."

In her statement, cllr Sumner demanded crossparty collaboration to demand a fair deal from government on local school budgets, a 20mph speed limit on residential streets, more measures to cut air pollution and community engagement on the Tolworth area plan.

A Kingston Council spokesperson said: "Councillor Sharron Sumner has resigned from the Kingston Liberal Democrat Group and is now an independent councillor for Alexandra Ward. 

"As a consequence, the political make-up of the council is now 38 Liberal Democrats, 9 Conservatives, 1 independent."

In a statement issued on Friday, Cllr Liz Green, leader of the council wrote: "It has been clear for some time that Sharron has been struggling with being part of an administration group at Kingston council.

"She clearly feels her ideas have not been followed through, whilst the opposite is true. Several of her ideas were incorporated in our manifesto and we are taking action on these already. 

"Running a council with the financial difficulties that Kingston Council faces is never going to be easy, and there are no quick fixes to perennial problems like air quality, adult social care and special education needs."