A POPULAR and leading Allerdale councillor will not be re-standing in May’s elections after being de-selected.

Konrad Hansen is one of at least nine Labour councillors whose name will not be on the ballot paper as the borough authority gears up for full-scale election mode.

This year will also see a major change in the political landscape of Allerdale, with the number of councillors slashed from 56 to 49 following a ward boundary shake-up.

Mr Hansen, who serves on the borough authority’s executive, is well-liked across the political divide and it was agreed that he would be a “big miss”.

The Executive member for Transformation gave a dignified farewell speech at Wednesday night’s otherwise ill-tempered meeting of the full council, thanking staff, colleagues and the electorate for their support over his eight-year tenure.

He said: “Since I discovered in December that I wouldn’t be re-standing in May, I won’t pretend I haven’t had all kinds of emotions about it. But such is the nature of politics that to be disappointed or angry about it would be extremely naïve. We know the game. It’s up to us if we play it straight or not.

“I will walk away from this council with pride. I am proud of what I have achieved at Allerdale.

“We don’t always have the same ideas or vote the same way, but I genuinely believe we are all here for the right reason – because we believe we are representing our friends, families and neighbours in the right way.”

The other departures include development panel chairman Peter Bales, described as the “father of the council”, who has served since 1992; Martin and Janice Wood, both of whom represent the same Maryport ward and have served since 1999; and Celia and Phil Tibble who represent Seaton and Clifton respectively.

Carole Armstrong representing Workington; Tony Lywood representing Keswick and Jim Osborn representing Harrington who both came on to the council in 2015 will also not be standing.

Among the Conservatives, Eric Nicholson and Jacqueline Mounsey and Pat MacDonald are standing down.

Together, the councillors have racked up 129 year of service.

Mr Hansen is a former mayor of Workington, became an Allerdale councillor in 2011 and joined the executive in 2014. He said: “I’m excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead, particularly as I have had some spare time to complete my doctorate.”