Haringey’s Liberal Democrat leader, Lynne Featherstone, has announced that she is to step down from the role next month. Ms Featherstone gave the news to her fellow councillors at the regular meeting of Lib Dem councillors on Thursday night. Ms Featherstone is also a member of the Greater London Authority and was chosen as her party’s Parliamentary spokesman for Hornsey and Wood Green last month.She wants to concentrate more on her Greater London Authority role and as a local ward councillor for Muswell Hill.

Lynne Featherstone has led the Lib Dems in Haringey from success to success, and has been a tireless campaigner on local issues.Under her leadership, the party crushed Labour in the west of the borough in this year’s local elections, wiping out the Tories in the process.At last year’s general election, Ms Featherstone scored the party’s third highest vote increase in the country, pushing the Tories into a distant third.

Lynne Featherstone will step down in November, when the council group will choose a new leader. In a vote of thanks, Wayne Hoban, Chair of the Lib Dems’ 15-strong council group, said:

“We owe a great deal to Lynne, who has put Haringey Lib Dems in pole position to challenge Labour in the borough – and we have wiped out the Tories in the process. She is a great friend, has been a superb leader, and will continue to be a key part of our local team.”

Lynne Featherstone comments: “It has been hugely enjoyable and exciting to lead the Lib Dems in Haringey. I will continue to play a prominent a role in the coming period, and look forward to even more campaigning on local issues.

“My decision is really a recognition that the council group is in good shape and I can step aside with complete confidence that the work of the council group will be in good hands. And I will continue to play my part as a councillor for Muswell Hill and with all my local campaigns such as securing the reopening of Muswell Hill police station front counter.”