Dr Peter Prinsley, MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, resigns from Norwich City Council
An MP has resigned from his role as a city councillor to focus on his duties to his constituents.
Dr Peter Prinsley, MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, has announced he will step down from his position on Norwich City Council.
Dr Prinsley has sparsely attended council meetings since becoming the first Labour MP for the Suffolk constituency in July’s general election, where he defeated Will Tanner from the Conservatives, but has remained councillor for Bowthorpe until now.
He was elected to Norwich City Council in 2023 and described his time on the council as a ‘huge privilege’.
A spokesperson for the MP said: “He is grateful for the opportunity to have represented such a vibrant community.
“As he now focuses on his role as the MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, Dr Prinsley remains committed to serving the public and ensuring that the voices of local people are heard.
“He will continue to advocate for the interests of communities both locally and nationally, building on the work he has done in Bowthorpe and beyond.”
The spokesperson added, while Dr Prinsley is stepping down from the council, he wanted to acknowledge the dedication of the authority’s leadership.
There will be a by-election held in Norwich to find a new councillor for Bowthorpe ward.
He had been a Breckland district councillor for 14 years and a county councillor for 12.
Mr Jermy intended to remain a councillor until the county council elections in May this year, but these have now been deferred due to local government reorganisation.
However, he appears to have kept his seat on Thetford Town Council, in his hometown.
The government’s devolution and reorganisation plans will pave the way for councils to be abolished and replaced, along with the creation of a mayor covering Norfolk and Suffolk.
Dr Prinsley has spoken to ministers about setting up an official mayoral office in Suffolk and argued Bury would be easily accessible from both counties.
