Cheshire West and Chester Council's ruling Labour group has been dealt a blow after two of its councillors quit the party - leaving it no longer able to form a majority administration.

Great Boughton councillor, Elizabeth MacGlashan, and Jimmy Shannon, who represents Whitby Groves in Ellesmere Port, have both left the group and the Labour Party itself, having become dismayed with national policies.

In a statement, Cllr MacGlashan said: "The Labour party has become a party I don't recognise any more.

"It's a party that no longer represents the working class or the most vulnerable in our society."

She took particular aim at planned Government changes to disability benefits, and added she will continue to represent the ward as an unaligned independent councillor, where she said she would have the 'freedom to speak out and vote with her conscience'.

In a separate statement, Cllr Shannon – who will also now sit as an unaligned independent – added: "I joined to fight for real, systematic change – for a fairer society.

"But this Labour Government has instead doubled down on Tory-style austerity.

"As a working class man and trade unionist, I can no longer remain in a party that has abandoned its roots."

The departures mean, while a Labour administration will continue to run the council, Cheshire West and Chester is now under no overall control – a local authority version of a 'hung Parliament'.

Labour now has 35 remaining councillors, but all other parties – including independents – could also muster 35 councillors between them.

This could result in deadlocked votes and Labour having to make deals, or essentially 'borrow' votes from other parties, groups or individual councillors, to push through its agenda.

Posting on X, Cheshire West and Chester Conservatives, the biggest opposition group on the council, said: "It's CHAOS in Labour-run Cheshire West and Chester Council. 

"Two councillors have resigned for having the courage of their convictions and not blindly following the diktats of their leadership.

"We'll continue to hold them robustly to account!"

Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "Labour is a movement built on solidarity, service, and the belief that we achieve more together than alone.

"Whilst it's sad to see Elizabeth and Jimmy go, the Cheshire West Labour group remains strong and united in our purpose."

She added: "My colleagues and I will keep delivering our positive agenda for residents – working hard, doing our best – as we always have."