Seventy-two hours before the 'referendum on Tony Blair', a senior Labour councillor on Warwickshire County Council has resigned over the war to join Respect. He is now our fourth local councillor.

Ronnie McIntosh, who represents the Abbey Wood ward in Nuneaton, has been on the council for seven years and has one year left before the next council elections. "I don't intend to stand for Labour again," he said, minutes after posting his resignation letter to the party. "I don't agree with this illegal war and I can no longer remain in the party," he added.

Councillor McIntosh hopes to be selected to stand for Respect at the next council elections.