The leadership of the Medway Labour and Co-operative Group have this morning paid tribute to the councillors who have decided to step down at the 2023 elections.

It was announced over the weekend that 4 of our 21 councillors have decided to make this the last year in their role. They are:

• Cllr Pat Cooper who first became a local councillor back in 1994
• Cllr Andy Stamp, who has been a councillor for more than 15 years, and served as our Spokesperson on Regeneration and Communities for more than half a decade
• Cllr Clive Johnson, who is our current Shadow Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
• Cllr John Lloyd, who has been one of our Twydall councillors since 2019

You can read individual statements announcing their intent to stand down in 2023 on our website here.

Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of the Medway Labour and Co-operative Group, said:

“I’m pleased to pay tribute to our four Labour & Co-op Councillors who have announced they are not seeking re-election at the upcoming 2023 election. 

 “John Lloyd topped the Twydall poll in 2019 and has done a great job for his community and I know he will continue to do so in other roles after the election.

 “Clive Johnson has done a superb job both as a ward councillor in Gillingham South as well as in the critical role of Children and Young People Spokesperson.  He has held the Conservative administration to account particularly as regards the inadequate Ofsted but also worked collaboratively where it is in the best interests of Medway’s young people.

“Pat Cooper has been a true champion for the council’s looked after children, an often overlooked group.  Pat was a very worthy winner of the national Labour Councillor of the Year award back in 2016 always standing up for Gillingham North.

“Andy Stamp’s dedication and commitment to the community is exceptional, be that his ward of Gillingham North or wider Medway.  He was an outstanding Regeneration, Community and Environment spokesperson leading the campaign to tackle the climate emergency and being the voice of reason against often poor proposals from the Conservative administration.

“All four will be missed from Medway Council and I thank them all for their service to both the community and to the Labour & Co-operative Group. I look forward to continuing to work with them over the next 12 months as we head towards the 2023 elections.”

Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader of the Medway Labour and Co-operative Group added:

“I have greatly enjoyed working with Clive, Pat and Andy, all of whom have brought their talents, experience and huge commitment to our work as a Labour Group. 

“Clive Johnson has been an outstanding and diligent spokesperson for Children Services and used Scrutiny with a forensic approach to support much needed improvements to children’s social care as well as showing determination to make sure all children in Medway get the best education possible. 

“Pat Cooper has been a wonderful champion for looked after children and care leavers, encouraging all councillors to take their responsibility as corporate parents seriously, while Andy Stamp has tirelessly fought for regeneration to be fairly distributed across the Towns and used his professional expertise to challenge climate change policy and work for more effective environmental protection measures.

“We will miss all of them but they leave a great legacy of good representation for their constituents. I wish them well in their future endeavours and know they will continue to support Labour in Medway.”