Social justice campaigner Hilary Cox Condron resigns as Cambridgeshire councillor to prioritise her mental health amid calls for ‘kinder politics’

Hilary Cox Condron has resigned as a county councillor to prioritise her mental health and take a break from politics, it has been confirmed today (Wednesday).

Her colleagues said in a statement that councillors need to think more about the impact “abusive communications and behaviour in politics” has on elected representatives and called for “kinder politics”.

Ms Cox Condron has represented the Arbury division on Cambridgeshire County Council for almost two years after being elected in May 2021.

The Labour County Group said in a statement that following a recent bereavement, Ms Cox Condron has made the decision to step down.

The statement, which was signed by county councillors Elisa Meschini, Neil Shailer, Gerri Bird, Richard Howitt, Alex Bulat, Nick Gay, Cathie Rae and Bryony Goodliffe, said: “Balancing the role of an elected politician with work and family commitments is a difficult task. As elected councillors, we need to be more open and honest about the impact being in politics can have on mental health and our work-life balance.

“We also need to think more about the impact abusive communications and behaviour in politics has on some of our elected representatives who experience it and all try to be kinder in politics.

“After a recent bereavement, our friend and colleague Hilary has made the choice to prioritise her mental health and take a break from politics. We fully support her in this personal decision.

“Hilary has contributed a huge amount to Cambridgeshire County Council in her two years as councillor. As vice-chair of the communities, social mobility and inclusion committee, she has championed community wealth building, doughnut economics models and ensured that the voices of those less represented, such as young people, migrants and refugees, are welcomed.

“Hilary was active in full council debates. Her motions led, amongst others, to adopting the socio-economic duty in all decision-making as well as a more ethical advertising policy.

“We will continue to work with Hilary in her capacity as a community artist, a social justice campaigner and, most importantly, as a friend to all of us in the group.”