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

Tuesday, 1 July 2025 17:04

By David Murphy

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. 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 the previous MP for Bury North.

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:

Despite some of the information in the statement already a matter of public record and we have not published private or new details beyond what is already a matter of public record, due to an on-going investigation, the full statement has been removed at this time.

Roch Valley Radio - 07/07/2025

James Daly (former MP for Bury North) 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.”