Lib Dems accused of 'abuse of power' over ward representation

Angry words were exchanged in the council chamber when Labour Deputy Leader Councillor Peter Williams described the ruling Liberal Democrat party as a “shambles” and accused them of an “abuse of power” – remarks that outraged Lib Dem Councillor Tom Bailey who expressed his “umbrage”.

Councillor Williams’ outburst was in response to the Lib Dems forcing through their controversial decision to change the representation of Hopwood Hall councillors on Heywood and Middleton Township committees - previously all three Hopwood Hall councillors represented the ward on both Townships, the change means that two Hopwood Hall members will now be allowed on Heywood Township and one on Middleton Township.

A few minutes previously a petition containing 144 names had been presented to the council by Connor McPartlane on behalf of residents of the Hollin area in relation to elected member representation on the Heywood and Middleton Township Committees. Given the opportunity to speak he said: “You call yourselves democratic but you have not asked the people - that is not democratic”.

Councillor Susan Emmott, who has come in for strong criticism from the Lib Dems for the strength of her opposition, asked if the Lib Dems had expected her to “raise the white flag and surrender”. She said after 25 years as a councillor she would not do so and she must be doing something right to “keep getting elected”. She added: “it is an honour and privilege to be a representative of the people and we should remember it is they who put us here.”

Conservative Councillor Ashley Dearnley said the matter should not be one for the full council to decide. He said that if the Lib Dems truly believed in devolving power to township committees, as they have so often trumpeted, then the decision should be left to the township committees. He said: “it is a sad day for local democracy and has created unnecessary ill feeling. It is wrong that a very small minority of [Lib Dem] members have been allowed to force this through.”

The vote, as expected, went along party lines with all Lib Dem councillors voting for the change and all Labour and Conservative councillors voting against.

Such was the Labour anger at the decision that they then refused to nominate representatives to serve on the township committees, forcing the council chief executive to explain that if they did not do so the positions would remain vacant - Labour Leader Councillor Colin Lambert again declined the opportunity to nominate.