Sefton's Labour and Tories ‘in plot to eject Lib-Dem leader'

May 8 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

SEFTON’S Liberal Democrat leader could be ousted by a Labour-Conservative coalition at a full council meeting today.

Along with toppling the leader, the make-up and size of the cabinet could change in what would be a seismic shift in Sefton’s politics.

Current leader Cllr Tony Robertson said he expects an attempt to be made to install Labour’s Cllr Peter Dowd as leader.

The Labour and Tory leaderships have both lambasted the Lib-Dems for what they say was a dirty tricks election campaign.

The borough has had a hung council for more than two decades, but members say in-fighting is at its worst level in recent memory.

The parties publicly fell out in March over the £236,000 severance deal offered to outgoing chief executive Graham Haywood – a package the Lib-Dems refused to support.

Campaigning in Manor ward – narrowly won by the Lib-Dems in last week’s elections – is said to have been particularly bitter.

Cllr Robertson, who has been Sefton’s most senior councillor since 2004, said he first heard of plots to depose him almost a month ago.

He added the most likely scenario to play out at the Southport meeting is for the Labour and Conservative groups to pool their votes in favour of Cllr Dowd.

Both Cllr Dowd and Tory group leader Cllr Paula Parry refused to be drawn on the specifics of any plan.

But Cllr Dowd said: “ Something is going to happen, of that I’m certain.

“There are mechanisms in the council that we have to get absolutely right, right across the spectrum – the numbers on the cabinet, the spread of the committee chairmen, the leadership and deputy leadership of the council have got to be considered.

“We are going through that with a fine tooth comb. We will hold them to account, both inside the council and outside.”

Cllr Dowd highlighted Lib-Dem campaign literature that appeared to show candidates criticising a budget which had received cross-party approval.

He added: “It has got to be very difficult for us to work with the Liberal Democrat party in the way we have done in the past. It’s very difficult to know if we can trust them.”

A Labour-Tory coalition would be a highly unusual occurrence.

Cllr Robertson said although Cllrs Dowd and Parry got on well, their parties have “diametrically opposed” objectives.

“The Tories are interested in places like Formby and Blundellsands, which are light years away from the Labour strongholds.”

Cllr Parry said: “It has been very difficult working with the Lib-Dems. They have behaved quite irresponsibly – it’s been a difficult year.”

benschofield