NSW councillor Nathan Tilbury all smiles after leaving Liberal party days before nomination fiasco

Independent now has surprise' backing of Liberal elder statesman and departing Hornsby mayor Philip Ruddock

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

While many of his former colleagues were furious this week, local councillor Nathan Tilbury has been feeling pretty happy as a former Liberal.

Two days before the party failed to nominate more than 130 candidates for next month's New South Wales local government elections, Tilbury handed in his resignation.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup