Senior Lib-Dem refuses to rule out Liverpool hot-seat challenge

May 5 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

A SENIOR Liberal Democrat in Liverpool last night would not rule out standing in the party’s leadership race.

Cllr Flo Clucas, executive member for economic development and Europe, said she had been so busy recently she had not had time to think about the leadership.

Council leader Warren Bradley was challenged for his position by former education supremo Cllr Paul Clein and Cllr Richard Kemp, the leader of the Lib-Dem group at the Local Government Association, on Friday following the local election results.

The Lib-Dems just hung on to power in the city after doing a midnight pact with ex-Labour councillor Nadia Stewart, who defected to give the party an overall majority of one.

Last night Corporate Resources leader, Cllr Peter Millea, said he would not be standing in the election that will take place on Monday, May 12.

He said: “I will absolutely not be standing, no chance whatsoever.”

Cllr Millea said he would not reveal who he would vote for in the secret ballot, that will take the form of single transferable vote.

Cllr Clucas, who has sat on the council since 1986, held her Allerton and Hunts Cross seat in Thursday’s election with a majority of 868 votes.

She is regarded as a highly capable operator and a safe pair of hands. Over the years, she has held numerous high- ranking positions on the council.

Last night, she said: “I have just spent a gruelling six weeks on an election.

“At the moment, I am not thinking about the leadership.”

Cllrs Clucas and Clein were both defeated in the party’s previous leadership battle, which was sparked by the resignation of former leader Mike Storey, in November, 2005.

Current leader Cllr Bradley won that election, but his two years-plus leadership has spent the past nine months marred by the fall-out of the Mathew Street Festival cancellation and a number of high-profile rows.

He is currently facing an ethical standards investigation alongside Cllr Storey, and was further damaged by a third year of poor results at the ballot box.

When he took over the leadership, the party had 60 councillors – it now has 46.

Last night it was unclear if any other senior councillors would enter the fray.

Cllr Bradley still has many allies in his party, but some have privately conceded that he has made some mistakes over the past months.

Intense discussions are likely to take place throughout the week.

One issue which party sources said is weighing on the minds of councillors is what the Standards Board for England will do as regards their investigation into Cllr Bradley’s behaviour.

The council leader has consistently denied any wrongdoing over allegations he conspired to remove former Culture Company chief executive Jason Har- borow from his post. The Standards Board is expected to conclude its investigation in the summer, and if found guilty Cllr Bradley could be forced to stand down.

davidbartlett