Councillor leaves Lib Dems for Tories

Councillor Jean Ashworth

Smallbridge and Firgrove Councillor Jean Ashworth has left the Liberal Democrat group and joined the Conservatives.

Councillor Ashworth, perhaps best known for her long and hard campaign to save the Rochdale Infirmary, announced her decision today (Thursday 17 November).

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Councillor Ashworth, said: “It is with deep regret and many sleepless nights that I have decided to leave the Liberal Democrats and join the Conservatives.

“The last 12 months have been difficult for all three parties – with the Liberal Democrats suffering the worst and I feel it is many years before we can recover and the Rochdale borough can’t wait that long. We need to see improvements in the town now.”

She said: “I feel the Lib Dems at the moment are in limbo.

“I don’t want to lose the party I think in time they can rebuild but I can’t wait, we need action now.

“I really feel Ashley Dearnley and his team have got that serious attitude to put the borough first before party politics.”

Councillor Ashworth said she believes the way forward is through joint working.

Councillor Ashworth continued: “I want what is best for our borough and the ward I represent and have lived in for the last 56 years but I want to see results now, not in years to come.

“I will put people before politics – that is my absolute priority.”

She added: “I feel really sad for what I have done, out of loyalty, but I have got to do what I feel is best for this borough, I am not just a Councillor for Smallbridge and Firgrove, I look at the much bigger picture, of the borough, and I always have done.

“The name of the party won’t change my attitude – it can only make me grow.”   

She concluded: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years and I hope they will continue to support me in the future.”

The Leader of the Conservative group, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, said: “Jean is a person of great integrity and she is well respected, not just in the council, but across the whole borough and she will be a great asset for the Conservative group.

“This is a decision Jean has found difficult and she has thought carefully about it.”

Councillor Dearnley said he understands Councillor Ashworth’s concerns and the need for parties to work together and said it appears at times that the leadership of the Liberal Democrats doesn’t see the need of working together.

He added: “Jean’s work in the health service is wonderful and I appreciate all her work at that level and she is an excellent ward councillor.”

Speaking of the defection, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Wera Hobhouse said it was not “unexpected” because Councillor Ashworth has been “unhappy with the Lib Dems nationally for a long time”

She added: “I have a lot of respect for Jean as a tough campaigner for the hospitals and I am sorry she felt she couldn't stick it out with us.”

The Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: “I described when Councillor Hobhouse took over the Liberal Democrats that she was Captain Smith of the Titanic – in charge of a sinking  ship.

“Councillor Hobhouse has managed to throw one more deck chair and I believe a few more deck chairs will collapse shortly.

“The Liberal Democrat brand in the borough of Rochdale has clearly drowned.”