Two Liberal Democrat councillors in Three Rivers have resigned from their party.

Both Councillor Alex Michaels and Councillor Joy Mann are listed as Independents, according to Three Rivers District Council's website.

They both represent Gade Valley ward, which covers Hunton Bridge, the area around Kings Langley station, and a part of Abbots Langley.

Neither councillor has publicly commented on why they have chosen to step down.

Last summer, Cllr Michaels resigned from his senior councillor role for environmental services and sustainability at Three Rivers District Council.

The move followed a policy disagreement Cllr Michaels had with his own party during a full council meeting in July 2019, when councillors were discussing recommendations made by the council's policy and resources committee the previous month.

Following the cabinet resignation, Cllr Michaels, in July, resigned as parish councillor at Abbots Langley Parish Council - just a couple of months after he had been re-elected.

Watford Observer:

Cllr Alex Michaels. Credit: Three Rivers District Council

Cllr Michaels' ward colleague Cllr Mann has also resigned as a Liberal Democrat.

The Observer understands she had not been chosen by her party to re-stand at next year's district council elections.

She has been a councillor in Three Rivers for nearly 20 years.

Cllr Michaels has told the paper that he and Cllr Mann have formed their own 'independent' party.

Watford Observer:

Cllr Joy Mann. Credit: Three Rivers District Council

Cllr Mann and Michaels are the third and fourth Liberal Democrat councillors to resign in just over two years.

Councillor Alison Wall, then representing Durrants ward in Croxley Green, defected to the Conservative party in Three Rivers in February 2018 because she says she held “incompatible” views.

She remains a councillor but now represents Tory-held Chorleywood North and Sarratt.

Her Durrants seat has since been taken by Lib Dem councillor Stephanie Singer.

Martin Brooks left the party in March 2018 and became an Independent, but he lost his Leavesden seat to new Lib Dem candidate Alex Turner in the 2018 elections.

Despite the two latest resignations, the Liberal Democrats still hold a majority of five.

The political make-up of Three Rivers District Council now stands as

Liberal Democrat - 22

Conservative - 12

Labour - 3

Independent - 2