Former Middleton Labour Councillor defects to the Lib Dems!

Terry Smith is welcomed by Lib Dem Councillor Wera Hobhouse

Former Middleton Labour Councillor Terry Smith has defected to the Liberal Democrats. Mr Smith quit his council seat of West Middleton in January this year, and in doing so handed overall control of the council to the Liberal Democrats. Mr Smith is to stand in his former council seat of West Middleton for the Lib Dems in May.

Rochdale Liberal Democrat Council Leader Alan Taylor spoke of his delight that Mr Smith has joined the Liberal Democrats. He 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 Liberal Democrats 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 the Rochdale Borough 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".

Heywood and Middleton Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson, Councillor Wera Hobhouse said: "I know what it is like moving to another political party and I know that Terry did not take the decision lightly.  He has strived to improve his local area and recognises the great strides that the Liberal Democrats are making in this Borough. 

"This is another example of Labour's unpopularity both locally and nationally and I'm delighted to welcome Terry onto our ever growing team."

A Labour Party spokesman said: "Terry Smith was deselected by the Labour Party for failing to do his job, both as a Councillor and party member. He was given many chances but failed to respond. He also walked away from his job at Langley Millennium Centre, leaving in the lurch those young people he professed to care for.

"In the end, such was the anger of Labour Party members, he didn’t even make the short list. Instead they selected Terry Linden, a man with a work record in Langley and Middleton second to none.

"Terry Smith resigned from the Council hours before he would have been disqualified for six months’ failure to attend meetings, in spite of still claiming his allowances."