Cllr. Akram takes heart - as Lib Dems take control of Council!

4.35.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 29th May 2006

Rochdale Liberal Democrats finally have control of Rochdale Council - ending a year of a Tory / Labour Coalition. One Councillor was determined not to miss the event. Councillor Christine Akram, who gained her Smallbridge and Firgrove seat 2 weeks ago had a QUADRUPLE heart by-pass operation the week before her first Council Meeting.

Christine said, "It has been a fortnight that I will never forget but it's been a long 2 weeks. I gained the Smallbridge and Firgrove Seat by only 48 votes then only 6 days later I was lying in Manchester Royal Infirmary having a quadruple heart by-pass. The operation was a success and I would like to thank the staff at Manchester Royal Infirmary who were wonderful. I promised the residents of Smallbridge and Firgrove that I would do my best for them, and attending Council Meetings is one of the most important ways of doing so - missing it just wasn't an option. I got a round of applause from the Lib Dem Group when I turned up and that made it all worth while.

"The operation has been scheduled for a while and it was always in the back of my mind, especially on Polling Day. I was always confident that it would be a success and I am probably the most relieved Councillor in Britain at the moment and delighted that we have taken control. It's my second time on the Council and I am proud that the Liberal Democrats are really making a difference in our town, the Election Results certainly reflected that."

New Leader of Rochdale Council - Councillor Alan Taylor said, "I am happy that Christine was able to attend the first Council meeting. She completely ignored my advice to have a few weeks off, it is remarkable that only a week after her operation she is already getting stuck into the challenge of representing Smallbridge and Firgrove with her colleagues - Councillors Jean Ashworth and Brenda Kerslake."

The new Leader of the Council should know what he's talking about - it's only 5 years since his quadruple heart bypass. Alan continued, "It's remarkable what a difference the operation made to my life - Councillor Peter Clegg feels the same. Christine will firing on all cylinders within weeks."