Former Middleton Councillor switches allegiance to the Lib Dems

Rochdale Liberal Democrat Council Leader Alan Taylor has spoken of his delight after a long-serving former Labour Councillor, Terry Smith, joined the Liberal Democrats. Ex-Councillor Terry Smith will be standing in his former council seat of West Middleton for the Lib Dems in May. Council Leader Alan Taylor said "Terry Smith has worked hard for many years and given a lot to West Middleton. Unfortunately the Labour party didn't treat him well at all. I have had many meetings with Terry since he left the Council in January and it is quite clear that a number of his priorities - including building more socially affordable housing, more money for our young people, drastically improving the environment on our Council estates, tackling anti-social behaviour, delivering more power to Middleton and much more - is being delivered by the Liberal Democrats. We will work hard with Terry to make sure that Langley and the whole of West Middleton gets a Liberal Democrat Councillor who can get things done for their area. I am certain the Terry - who has a record of action - will continue his lifelong work to improve his area".

Terry Smith said "I am pleased to now join the Lib Dems and to be standing for them in May. There was absolutely no way I would defect to the Lib Dems when I was a Councillor, as I want to give the people of West Middleton the opportunity to have their say. Dozens of areas across Rochdale are benefiting from the type of community campaigning that the Lib Dems excel in. I am still the same Terry Smith and I'm loyal to this community, a loyalty not shown by the local Labour party. I look forward to fighting for West Middleton with the Liberal Democrats".