Lib Dem Councillor defects to Labour

A Liberal Democrat Councillor has defected to the Labour group on Rochdale Council.

North Heywood Councillor Malcolm Bruce has made the move to the controlling group because he has been “unhappy for a while” whilst being a Lib Dem.

The move leaves the Liberal Democrats with just 11 seats on Rochdale Council and Labour with 32 seats.

Councillor Bruce explained why he has defected: “It is mainly the policies of the coalition; they are too fast and too vicious.

“I didn’t want to become an Independent and have no say.

“Looking at Labour they seem to all stick together and are not at each other’s throats.”

When asked if Councillor Bruce had a message for those people who voted him in as a Liberal Democrat and not Labour, he said: “It’s like a popularity vote in Heywood. That is the feeling I get.

“I have worked in Heywood all my life, I have lived here since I was 28 and I have had two flourishing businesses, everyone knows us.

“I hope people will support the move, it has always been a Labour ward anyway.”

Labour Leader, Councillor Colin Lambert said: “We welcome Malcolm back to his natural political home, the Labour party.

“We understand he has had an unhappy time with the Lib Dems and we look forward to working with him.”

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats Councillor Wera Hobhouse, said: “Councillor Bruce wrote me a very short email at 4.15 yesterday afternoon to announce his resignation.

"He gave no explanation.

"Therefore I can only speculate about his motives.

“The Lib Dems are going through rough political times and this is no time for fair weather friends.

“There is now no longer room in the Liberal Democrats for people with no convictions."