Luton Borough Council faces political turmoil after six Labour councillors resigned from the party, leaving the authority under no overall control for the first time in 19 years.
The resignations and subsequent political shifts have upended the local authority just months after a leadership transition. Tahmina Saleem was appointed as the new leader of Luton Borough Council on 19 May, replacing Hazel Simmons, who had led the authority since 2007. Simmons had announced her decision to step down in March after 19 years in the role, stating she had immense pride in what the council achieved during her tenure.
Labour Councillors Quit Over Alleged Regional Party Interference
Less than four months after Saleem took charge, Rumi Chowdhury was one of six Labour councillors who chose to quit the party and sit as independents. The departed councillors included Javed Hussain, the former deputy leader, and Tom Shaw, who served as a Labour councillor in Luton for 42 years.
Following the resignations, the group stated that control of the Labour group rests with the Eastern region Labour Party, prompting them to form a new alliance to give democracy back to the people of Luton. Rob Roche, one of the departing councillors, claimed he was driven to quit because Simmons was forced out of her role by regional leadership. Roche alleged that Simmons was told she must stand down in March and submit a resignation statement.
Roche also stated that members were offered a choice of two candidates for leader but had a single candidate imposed for deputy leader, despite applications from several members including Javed Hussain. Hussain, who previously served as Simmons’ deputy, was replaced when Saleem took over and became the ceremonial mayor instead.
A spokesperson for Labour East responded to the claims by stating that while the party does not comment on internal processes, a National Executive Committee-led process occurred earlier this year in line with Labour Party policies and procedures.
Did You Know? Hazel Simmons moved to Luton in 1984, began her political career as a local councillor in 1991, and received an MBE in 2017 for services to local government and the community.
Independent Alliance and Opposition Challenges
The political landscape shifted further as the departing former Labour councillors formed an Independent Alliance alongside Khtija Malik, who left the Labour Party in August 2025, bringing their total to seven on 18 August. Additional departures added to the council’s instability: Liberal Democrat David Franks, who served as authority leader from 2003 to 2007, left his party in August after 43 years to become a non-aligned independent. On 1 September, Labour lost another member when Saima Hussain became a non-aligned independent.
Opposition parties joined forces on 3 September to challenge Saleem. Liberal Democrat Amjid Ali could take over as leader if he secures a victory in a confidence vote scheduled for an extraordinary meeting on 14 September.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Hazel Simmons step down as council leader?
Simmons announced in March that she was stepping down after 19 years in the role, describing the decision as difficult while expressing pride in the council’s achievements since 2007.
Why did the six Labour councillors resign?
The councillors resigned because they alleged that control of the local Labour group rested with the Eastern region Labour Party and claimed that Simmons had been forced out of her leadership position by regional leadership.
What happens next for the council leadership?
Opposition parties joined forces to challenge Tahmina Saleem, and Liberal Democrat Amjid Ali could take over as leader if he wins a confidence vote at an extraordinary meeting on 14 September.
How do you think cross-party coalitions and independent alliances will impact local governance in Luton moving forward?
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