Liberal Democrat group choose new leader

The Liberal Democrat group on Rochdale Council have chosen Councillor Andy Kelly as their new group leader. This follows the decision of Councillor Wera Hobhouse to concentrate on her teaching commitments.

“Firstly I would like to thank Councillor Hobhouse for all her hard work as leader this past year and I am both genuinely honoured and flattered to be selected as group leader,” said Councillor Kelly.

“Despite being such a small group on the council I’m really looking forward to the coming weeks and months.

"In the local elections last week thousands of people voted Liberal Democrat despite the negative national image being portrayed.

"The Lib Dem group will continue to represent their wards and local people across the townships and the borough.

"The time has now come for the Labour administration to be held accountable for the cuts they are making. They have now been in control of the Council for over eighteen months, so they no longer can pass the buck as they are making the decisions.

"The Lib Dem group will be standing by their core principles in the months ahead. With a new chief executive now in place, we all have an important role to play in ensuring Rochdale has better times ahead.”

The Liberal Democrats have also nominated Councillor Peter Rush to be Deputy Mayor for 2012/13. Subject to the formality of ratification, Cllr Rush will serve as the Mayor in 2013/14.

Councillor Kelly added: “Peter Rush will be an excellent mayor for the whole borough, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate person to be our premier citizen. He is an excellent ambassador for the people of the borough and I’m sure he will support and deputise perfectly for Cllr Jim Gartside in his mayoral office this year.”