Bury Tory leader quits in fury over ‘disgraceful’ fraudster appointment and party’s moral collapse

Bury Conservative leader Cllr Russell Bernstein has resigned from the party, citing moral collapse, a 'cabal' of local members, and the appointment of a convicted fraudster as key reasons for his departure.

The leader of the Conservative group at Bury Council has issued a blistering resignation statement, accusing his own party of abandoning basic standards of integrity and comparing local leadership to Jeremy Corbyn’s Momentum faction.

Cllr Russell Bernstein announced on 1 July that he has resigned from the Conservative Party and joined the newly formed Local Independents for Bury.

He accuses the local party of being led by a “cabal” that “lacks integrity”, and singles out support for a “convicted fraudster” being given responsibility for Membership and Finance. Richard Moore, the individual referred to, was convicted of fraud, a matter of public record. However, under UK law, that conviction is now considered “spent” under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Despite that legal status, Bernstein insists he will not compromise on principles of integrity and transparency, and alleges the party attempted to discredit him via a “bullying complaint” filed by Moore and former Bury North MP James Daly.

In accordance with our editorial policy and IPSO guidelines, we publish Cllr Bernstein’s full resignation statement below. These views are his own and are presented unedited, in line with public interest reporting on matters involving elected officials.

Full statement from Cllr Russell Bernstein below:

I joined Bury Conservatives in July 2019 at the peak of a Labour Party controlled by Jeremy Corbyn and Momentum with the country being paralysed by Remainers wanting to frustrate the democratic will of the British people. At that time the Conservative Party was a beacon of light and hope to get Brexit done and rid this country of Corbyn, Momentum and the divisive politics which a Labour government at that time would have brought.

In fast forwarding to 2025 it has to be acknowledged that the previous Conservative Government itself had issues of integrity and trust and today Bury Conservatives have swapped roles with the Labour Party and are now the Party that is led by a cabal with motives akin to Momentum in that it continues to lack integrity, has no moral compass and does not accept challenge and scrutiny.

I had always hoped during the past months that the majority of Bury Conservative members had values that identified right from wrong but clearly I have been mistaken. Members of any political party that can support a convicted fraudster being responsible for Membership and Finance (its like Al Copone being made a tax inspector), is not a political party that shares my values and does not comprehend what the Nolan Principles of public life are about.

As such I have finally concluded that the Conservative Party in Bury and nationally is no longer a Party that is compatible with what I believe in. Integrity, openness and trust are values which I have believed in all my life and do not intend to compromise now. As such I have resigned from the Conservative Party and I now intend to continue my political journey with the newly formed Local Independents for Bury, where I will be joined by like-minded colleagues who have also today left the Conservative Party.

It is no surprise that the Conservative Party locally and nationally find themselves facing existential threats when the actions of the Bury cabal similar to the behaviour of Momentum under Corbyn is supported and goes unchecked. So much for Kemi Badenoch’s vision to renew, which is clearly no more than a strap-line that has no real substance or appetite to deliver the much needed change the Conservative Party requires for it to regain the trust of the people of Bury and wider.

It is well documented that the convicted fraudster Richard Moore supported by James Daly have raised a bullying complaint against me. In response to the Bury Conservatives statement I am determined to highlight that this complaint was nothing more than a lame tactic in attempting to discredit me, as such I self-referred myself to the Bury Council Standards procedure on Friday 27th June. I am confident that the independent process that exists within the Council will adjudicate fairly and objectively against the issues raised in the Moore bullying complaint in accordance with the Nolan Principles of public life. As soon as the Standards process is concluded I intend to reveal publicly all the issues raised in this complaint the allegations of which are all vehemently denied.

With regards to the issue about calling for a By-Election, Bury Conservatives who claim they are sticklers for rules know full well that there is no requirement to ask the Council to incur unnecessary expenditure and as the person who topped the poll in Pilkington Park in the 2022 Local Elections I look forward to the 2026 Local Elections when the good people of Pilkington Park will have the opportunity to give the only verdict that really matters on who they trust to advocate on their behalf myself or indeed any other candidate including a cabal endorsed local Conservative candidate. I look forward to serving the people of Pilkington Park and be a firm, objective and clear voice in the Council Chamber.

James Daly (former MP for Bury North) had not responded to our right to reply at the time of publication.

Richard Moore (Membership and Finance) had not responded to our right to reply at the time of publication.

In response to the resignations of the four councillors, Bury Conservatives promptly published this below statement;

“It is of no surprise to us that Councillor Bernstein has chosen to resign the day before a disciplinary panel convened by the National Conservative Party is held. This panel was investigating multiple complaints of bullying, harassment, and intimidation toward members, councillors, and others.

If Councillor Bernstein anticipated the panel finding against him, resignation may have seemed the easier path than facing the consequences of his conduct.

If it is true that other councillors have chosen to follow him, that is disappointing. The Conservative Party is – and must remain – a party that upholds mutual respect, personal responsibility, and integrity. Anyone unwilling to uphold those values is not fit to represent the Party.

We note that when a Member of Parliament defected, Councillor Bernstein and others called for an immediate by-election. We therefore look forward to the by-elections we expect to follow and will fight them with the full strength of our team and values. Residents deserve representation from people who reflect their values – not individuals running from accountability.

We remain focused on working hard for the people of Bury, delivering on their priorities and standing up for the standards our residents expect from elected representatives.”