Lib Dems take overall control as Labour Councillor quits!

The Liberal Democrats have taken overall control of Rochdale Metropolitan Council after a Labour Councillor sensationally quit. This leaves the Liberal Democrats with over half the Councillors and now in full control of the Council. The Lib Dems have been in minority control since May after gaining a number of seats in the local elections.

Councillor Smith will stand down with immediate affect. His seat is up for election in May, there will be no by-election as a 'Six Month rule will apply' - leaving the residents of Middleton West with only 2 Councillors. The Liberal Democrats previously had minority control of the Council with all 10 Cabinet Members. The new Council is: Liberal Democrats 30, Labour 19 and the Conservatives 10.

Council Leader - Alan Taylor said, "I don't know the reasons behind former Councillor Smith's decision but I am acutely aware that this gives the Liberal Democrats a stronger mandate to deliver our exciting but challenging manifesto. Since the successful election in May we have strived to use the mandate clearly given to us by the people of the Borough of Rochdale. We shall continue apace and deliver the lowest Council Tax increase for over a decade, to devolve power locally, to continue our drive to improve recycling and the many other improvements we aim for and are delivering for this Borough."

He continued, "I am disappointed for the people of West Middleton as they will be without one of their Councillors for 4 months. It is quite obvious like the rest of the Borough, people within the Labour ranks are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the Labour Party. I pay tribute to the hard work put into the community of Langley and West Middleton by former Councillor Smith."

Ends

For further information please contact Councillor Alan Taylor on 07800 672273 or 01706 840 388 or Dave Hennigan (Rochdale Lib Dem Press Office) on 01706 712 186.

Note to Editors:

For further information on activity and campaigns by Rochdale Borough Liberal Democrats see www.rochdalelibdems.org.uk.

The new composition of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council is Lib Dems 30, Labour 19 and The Conservatives 10. The Liberal Democrats have run Rochdale under minority control since May. Before then, a Labour / Conservative Coalition ran the Council until the Liberal Democrats made 5 gains in May 2006.