SHEFFIELD Council’s left-wing deputy leader has resigned from her position and declared that she will “take the side of the people” in a local democracy referendum.

Labour councillor Olivia Blake resigned yesterday afternoon after declaring that her position is “untenable” under the leadership of councillor Julie Dore.

Local campaigners who are unhappy with Ms Dore’s leadership have collected 26,000 signatures calling for a referendum on changing the leadership style of the council’s administration to a committee system.

Their signatures exceed the 25,000 names necessary to hold a vote.

Ms Blake, who is also Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Sheffield Hallam, added: “I will take the side of the people. I will back the committee system.

“People feel disenfranchised when their elected Labour councillors have no money to spend, because of cruel decisions by a Tory government.

“Open, democratic and accountable government is nonetheless crucial.

“It is a starting point for a wider debate on how to rejuvenate our democracy, and it is important that Labour voices contribute to this debate.”