Lib Dem quitters - the real reason?

A copy of the letter signed by nine disgruntled Liberal Democrat Councillors - who quit the party - has been passed to Rochdale Online.

The Councillors signed the letter in November 2010.

This subsequently led to seven members forming their own group, called the Independent Alliance.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/49495/six-lib-dem-councillors-resign

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/49747/seventh-lib-dem-resigns-from-the-party

Before Christmas, an eighth member quit and later joined the Conservative party and was joined earlier this month by the ninth councillor.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/50468/eighth-lib-dem-resigns-from-party
http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/54049/former-lib-dem-joins-tory-party
http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/55020/lib-dem-councillor-joins-conservatives

The whole affair happened whilst the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Irene Davidson, was in hospital. 

The letter's content is reproduced below:

It is with sadness and regret that we feel we can no longer remain members of the Liberal Democrat Group of Councillors, under its present leadership, following the witch hunt of Councillor Doreen Brophy-Lee and Councillor Naim Mahmud.

We also wish to move a Motion of No Confidence in the Leader and Deputy Leader and we demand a new leadership election within seven days.

We therefore have no alternative but to sit as Independents unless our concerns are addressed.

Councillors –

Brophy-Lee
Couzens
Davison
Ted Flynn
Pat Flynn
Sharif
Todd
Wazir
Mahmud

A statement from the Liberal Democrat Party reads: “The Lib Dems have moved on from this political episode, but feel that the Rochdale public should have a right to know the real reason why certain members of the group have left.”