A Carlisle councillor has resigned from his role to spend his life with his future wife after surviving coronavirus.
Independent city councillor Jack Patton has stepped down as representative of Botcherby and Harraby North this week.
Mr Patton has resigned to enjoy every minute of his new lease of life after surviving a near-fatal bout with COVID-19 and pneumonia.
Shortly after being released from hospital, in spite of gloomy predictions from his doctors, Cllr Patton met his now fiancée in a “whirlwind” romance.
Mr Patton said: “I stepped down mainly due to health reasons, plus the fact I’ve made it known on many occasions I don’t like politics in local government. I think local councils should be there for one reason and leave politics at the door.”
One of three independent Carlisle City Council members, he has become frustrated with party politics.
“It’s all done through the whip, if they want something through it’ll go through whatever.”
But he said: “The reason I stepped down was because of my health. A year past in December I was critically ill in hospital with pneumonia and COVID. My family were notified and they were told not to expect me home.”
Mr Patton is still experiencing the effects of long COVID. “I’ve never been right since I came out of hospital, I’ve never been the same. This is all part and parcel of long COVID.”
But the former councillor has found a new lease of life since beating his illness.
“When I came home I met my partner and she’s been absolutely amazing, she’s been my rock. So much so that we’re getting married in four weeks. It was an absolute whirlwind.”
Mr Patton wants to spend his second chance at life with his partner Lorraine Jackson and his family.
“We were actually born five doors apart in the same little Scottish village. After we get married we’re off to Turkey for 10 days and then we’re saving up to spend Christmas in New York. I just think we need this time together.”
Mr Patton ended his time as a city councillor on a win, successfully lobbying for £40,000 in additional support for mental health charities like the Happy Mums Foundation.
“I don’t want to re-stand because I would be letting the people down and not doing the job I’m supposed to do.”
And he hopes his predecessor is another independent. “I think we need independents in the council rather than party politics. Local councils should be there for the betterment of their city and the people who live there.”
The couple are getting married on March 5.
