When Daisy Blakemore-Creedon made history last year as one of Britain’s youngest elected councillors, it was a moment of celebration—not just for her, but for young women hoping to shake up politics.
Just 18 at the time and juggling A-Levels, she seemed to represent a new generation of leaders stepping into roles traditionally held by older, more established figures.
But just a year later, the now 19-year-old has made the difficult decision to step away from the Labour Party, citing bullying, anti-Semitic abuse, and false accusations that left her feeling isolated and deeply hurt.
From Safety Concerns to Personal Attacks
Daisy’s troubles began after she proposed adding CCTV to council-licensed minicabs—a suggestion she says was solely about improving safety for both passengers and drivers.
But the conversation took a turn she never expected.
According to Daisy, some within her own party accused her of racism because many local minicab drivers are Asian men.
“It was never about ethnicity,” she said, explaining that her focus was on safeguarding—not singling anyone out.
The backlash was swift and painful.
One Labour supporter allegedly went so far as to accuse her of being “on the payroll” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—a claim Daisy, whose mother is Jewish, strongly denies.
Leaving Labour, But Not Her Values
Daisy shared her resignation publicly on Monday through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying she felt bullied and sidelined after raising concerns she believed were valid and important.
“I was deeply disturbed to be labelled racist and to be told that my family and I were targeting Asian councillors,” she wrote.
“These claims are false and incredibly damaging.”
She also expressed frustration that a formal complaint she filed has been delayed twice—allegedly over concerns about the party’s image, not justice.
“That told me everything I needed to know,” she added.
Though she’ll now sit as an independent, Daisy says Labour still feels like part of her identity.
“My morals are Labour. It’s in my blood. My grandfather was a huge supporter. This whole thing has left my entire family disappointed.”
A By-Election on the Horizon?
Despite the turmoil, Daisy is determined to keep serving her constituents.
She’s open to triggering a by-election, although she says many residents in her ward have voiced their support for her continuing as an independent.
And she isn’t backing down.
Her motivation, she says, is the same as it was when she first ran: to stand up for her community and show that young women have a rightful place in politics.
“Being Young in This Space Is Hard”
Last week, before she officially stepped away from Labour, Daisy took to X to reflect on her experience in politics so far.
“This year has been one of the toughest, most eye-opening experiences of my life,” she wrote.
As a teenager and a young woman in a political world dominated by older voices, Daisy said she’s constantly had to fight to be taken seriously.
“People doubt your ability before you even speak,” she said.
“They assume you’re inexperienced, naïve, or just a token.”
She recalled being interrupted, spoken over, and judged more for her appearance than her actions.
“There were moments that left me shaken and angry,” she admitted.
“But I stayed. I stood my ground. Because I earned my place.”
A “Wow Moment” That Faded Fast
It wasn’t long ago that Daisy felt hopeful about her future in the party.
She’d even posted a beaming photo with Labour’s Rachel Reeves, calling it a “wow moment.”
Three months into her term, she told the BBC how proud she was to be a role model, even if it meant giving up some of the things her friends were still doing—like partying.
“I’m my own woman,” she said at the time.
“I grew up in a council house. I saw my mum rely on a food bank. That gives me life experience that others might not have.”
But she also acknowledged the challenges that came with her role: being dubbed “the baby” of the group, dealing with unsafe campaigning situations as a young woman, and being scrutinized in ways others weren’t.
What’s Next for Daisy?
For now, Daisy Blakemore-Creedon is forging ahead on her own terms.
As an independent councillor, she plans to continue advocating for her community—this time, without the party label that once brought her pride.
Labour officials have said that complaints are investigated according to party procedures, while the leader of Peterborough City Council, Dennis Jones, expressed disappointment over Daisy’s departure but reaffirmed the group’s focus on local service.
Still, Daisy’s story highlights a bigger question: How welcoming is politics to young voices, especially when they challenge the status quo?