August 9, 2016 2.13 pm This story is over 91 months old

Lincoln village councillor resigns to join armed forces

A Conservative councillor who has represented a village near Lincoln for over a year has resigned to join the armed forces. Alexander Bridgwood, 24, was elected as a Conservative West Lindsey district councillor for the Cherry Willingham Ward in May 2015. However, just 15 months into his four-year term, he has informed West Lindsey District…
Conservative Alexander Bridgwood, who represented Cherry Willingham on West Lindsey District Council

A Conservative councillor who has represented a village near Lincoln for over a year has resigned to join the armed forces.

Alexander Bridgwood, 24, was elected as a Conservative West Lindsey district councillor for the Cherry Willingham Ward in May 2015.

However, just 15 months into his four-year term, he has informed West Lindsey District Council’s chief executive Manjeet Gill of his decision to resign.

He said: “It has become clear that I am not able to fulfil this role to the fullest extent that I would wish and that taking up a role in the armed forces is incompatible with holding elected office.

“It has been a tremendously exciting period to be involved in our democracy and working with the very dedicated team of Conservative councillors who run the council.

“I am so proud to have worked with people to deliver a shared vision of making the district more prosperous, more enterprising, more accessible and more connected; a vision of a West Lindsey that is increasingly green, where people want to live, work and visit; where we are encouraging residents to be, and building communities that are, more active and healthy.

I will always cherish the memory of my election, knowing that local people had put their trust in me.

“I regret deeply that I am unable to complete my full term but know that local residents will support me in my new role in our armed forces.”

Councillor Jeff Summers, the Conservative leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “Alexander first stood as a Conservative candidate in 2011, despite being unsuccessful in his first attempt he persevered and was successfully elected to represent his home village and surrounding communities of Cherry Willingham in 2015.

“I am very sorry to lose such an exceptional young man; however, I am confident that as he has served the district he will serve our country with diligence, honour, intelligence and courage.”